Cathays Park

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Cardiff City Hall at Cathays Park
Cardiff City Hall at Cathays Park

Cathays Park is a civic area in central Cardiff, Wales, consisting of a number of early 20th century buildings and a central park area. It includes Edwardian buildings such as the Temple of Peace, City Hall, the National Museum and Gallery of Wales and several buildings belonging to the Cardiff University campus, as well as more the modern law courts, police station, and the administrative headquarters of the Welsh Assembly Government. The park includes the Welsh National War Memorial. Cathays Police Station is located in the vicinity and is not as aesthetically pleasing as the other buildings.

The present day character of the area owes much to the Marquess of Bute, an extremely successful and wealthy businessman. He acquired much of the lands in Cathays through investment and by inheritance through his marriage to Charlotte Windsor in 1766. In 1898, the local council bought 59 acres of land from the 3rd Marquess of Bute in order to erect a new town hall. As part of the sale, the 3rd Marquis of Bute placed strict conditions on how the land was to be developed. The area was to be used for civic, cultural and educational purposes and the avenues were to be preserved.

The area lies within the Cathays ward, and is the home of Cardiff University's Aberdare Hall.