Porthkerry Park

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Coordinates: 51°23′38″N 3°18′49″W / 51.3939, -3.3136

The viaduct at Porthkerry Park near Cardiff International Airport, Barry, Wales
The viaduct at Porthkerry Park near Cardiff International Airport, Barry, Wales
View across the park's main field, towards the pebble beach and the Bristol Channel.
View across the park's main field, towards the pebble beach and the Bristol Channel.

Porthkerry Park is a large, public country park on the coast of Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan in south Wales. It has fields, extensive woodland and nature trails, cliff-top pathways, a pebble-stone beach, and a small golf course. Architecturally, it is noted for its prominent viaduct crossed by a railway that served as a transportation for coal from the Welsh valleys to the port in the 19th and 20th centuries. With the combination of green areas and the coastal location, the park is a popular destination for local primary schools taking their pupils on trips to study nature.

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[edit] History

On the northern side of the park is the site of the old village at Cwmcidi (meaning Valley of the Black Dog), which came into existence before the middle of the 13th century. In 1622, Cwmcidi contained 5 houses bordering "Comkedye Street", interspersed with a number of tofts (dwelling sites) plus three scattered dwellings. By 1812, there remained only three cottages and a farmhouse. The cottages were finally swept away in the 1840's when the area was landscaped by the Romilly family to form Porthkerry Park. The name - although slightly anglicised - lives on in the area, in the form of a nearby public house, The Cwm Ciddy.

[edit] Geography

Porthkerry Park lies on the Welsh coast, alongside the Bristol Channel. Further up the shore, Barry Island is accessible via the pebble beach. On a clear day, it is possible to walk from Porthkerry to Cold Knap (and vice versa) in a mere matter of minutes.

Porthkerry Park with view of the Porthkerry viaduct
Porthkerry Park with view of the Porthkerry viaduct

[edit] Maintenance

The park is maintained by a warden who has a residence at a quaint, old cottage along the main park road.

[edit] External links