18 Things To Do In Penarth To Stay Local, Wales
Before I rattle off the local things to do in Penarth, let me give you an overview of Penarth. Nestled between Wales’ capital city and the seaside resort of Barry Island is the small Victorian town of Penarth.
I’ll be straight with you, it has its areas as all towns do but on the whole, Penarth is a posh place. The upside of having a posh town so close is the surprise pleasantries it produces.
Here’s some of the best spots to visit, walk, sit, shop, eat and drink in Penarth and all local or independent too!
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Where is Penarth in Wales?
Penarth town is found in South Wales and is easy to get to via public transport and there’s ample parking around the centre (for 2 hours a spot).
Penarth to Cardiff is a 15 minute drive, Cardiff to Penarth train (from central station) takes under 10 minutes and buses to Penarth stop all throughout the town from Cardiff and other parts of Vale of Glamorgan.
Bristol to Penarth by car takes about an hour and public transport would be longer as you’d have to change over when reaching Cardiff.
Penarth to London takes 3 hours by car but by public transport, you’d always have to get to Cardiff and then change bus or train from there.
The buses to Penarth from Cardiff are 92, 92B, 93, 93S, 94, 94B.
Here is a marker of Penarth map:
Browse places to stay in Penarth and Penarth hotels on booking.com.
Nature Things to Do in Penarth
1. Cosmeston Lakes and Country Park
Cosmeston Lakes is a popular country park to visit on a trip to Penarth Wales. Cosmeston has walk trails amongst long, green grass, swans to feed that migrate to other parts of Vale of Glamorgan, a medieval village here to explore, a cafe, kids parks and areas to host your own barbecue or picnic.
2. Penarth Pier
For the best scenic walk in Penarth, find a parking spot on the front overlooking the water (you might have to do a few laps) or get the bus that stops right outside and stroll along Penarth Pier.
Get an ice cream, a coffee or faggots and peas for your walk on the esplanade, or grab a bench for dazzling sunset views, or enjoy Penarth beach on a blanket. Penarth Pier is dog-friendly too.
My cousin got married in a Penarth church and the reception at a Penarth Pier wedding served as an extraordinarily beautiful backdrop for an Autumnal wedding. One of Gavin & Stacey filming locations was at Penarth Pier when the Wests go to bingo!
Penarth Pier is a bit of a walk from Penarth centre so I’d use transport to get yourself down to Penarth front.
Penarth Pier Postcode – CF64 3AU
3. Boat Trip to Flat Holm and Steep Holm
Properly pronounced like ‘home’ but locally pronounced as ”ome’ these islands can be seen from the shores of Penarth and Barry Island so if you’re looking for Penarth boat trips to the island for wildlife and history, you should book a tour online.
Related Post: Phrases You Only Hear in South Wales
4. Penarth Marina
Another gorgeous spot to stroll and admire is Penarth Marina and nearby paths for walking.
Pier 64 Penarth is one of the best restaurants in Penarth with a view overlooking Penarth marina. Get a steak. And that’s all I need to advise. Just get the steak.
Alternatively, you could try some seafood at another one of the finer Penarth marina restaurants: The Custom House.
5. Walk the Cardiff Bay Barrage
For a scenic walk, start at Penarth Marina and follow the path, past Custom House, over the barrage (as long as the bridge is down, listen out for the alarms) and the coastal walk down to Cardiff Bay as pictured here:
You could also get a water taxi from Penarth down the River Taff to the Bay!
Local Shopping – Things To Do In Penarth
6. Olde Sweet Shoppe
When I think of the ‘olden days’ (and I can’t specifically say what decade this is in my mind), images of kids like the artful dodger scraping pennies to get a pick-a-mix from the local sweet shop conjure in my mind. Well this sweet shop in Penarth is my mind’s eye in real life. Big jars behind the sales person of different sweets (my favourite are strawberry bon bons) and a grand, antique till with a huge lever to pull for the change!
Get your nostalgia on in this old sweet shop.
7. Griffin Books
What is a town without a local book shop? Penarth has just that with Griffin Books, sat on the corner of an arcade and the main strip so it’s easy to find. I love musing around book shops and this small literary parlour has efficient aisles, gift racks and specials by the till.
I picked up a horror-list bookmark and Imitations by Zadie Smith last time I visited.
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8. Indie Penarth Shops
For a small area, Penarth has quite a few little indie stories knocking about. Throughout the arcades, you can find boutique shops selling wonders of gifts and knick-knacks but these two are my fave:
Not Socks Again – Ha, the name says it all. For the smallest indie shop you’ll ever find, Not Socks Again has unique gifts so no-one will moan ‘not socks again’, ever again.
Hamptons – I once had Hamptons Penarth Afternoon Tea which was deliciously fun but they’ve closed the cafe/kitchen part and it now serves as an extended area of the downstairs Hamptons store. You can find some niched items if you’re an animal-lover, candle-lighter or globe enthusiast.
Also, look at their gorgeous tree at Christmas time below! Which, by the way, is the time to visit for their sophisticated and dazzling Christmas baubles.
9. Fauvette Cheese Bar
This truly is one of the best things to do in Penarth and it epitomises the locality and character of the town. Freshly baked bread, mini chutney jars, locally-produced cheese and cheese boards made from Welsh slate are just some of the things you’ll discover in this little nutcracker.
I found the love of my cheese life in this store: Truffle Brie. Seen me through those rough, isolated Christmas nights that truffle brie did.
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Eating Local in Penarth Places to Eat
10. Tapas at Casa de Margherita
Look out over the gorgeous pier of Penarth while pecking at some authentic Spanish tapas. I am a HUGE tapas fan and have enjoyed the real deal in Spain, homemade spreads and excellent replicas in cities like Melbourne, Bath, Berlin and this one in Penarth!
11. David Lush Butchers
Fondly known as Lushes, you can enjoy one of the best butchers I’ve had in South Wales. Definitely try the home-made pies and baguettes from this local butcher.
Fun fact: My friend’s brother was in hospital while his missus was giving birth and made my friend stop off at Lushes for baguettes before he was allowed to meet his nephew. It was worth the wait according to said friend.
This Cardiff & Vale Guided Tour visits Penarth and 11 other places of interest!
12. Afternoon Tea at Holm House
Just a couple of streets behind Penarth waterfront, this out-of-the-way spot serves as a hotel, spa, wedding venue, bar and the best afternoon tea in Penarth.
It’s is a must when visiting Penarth. On your way be sure to look out at the mansions on Millionaire’s row.
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13. Etc Penarth
Etc Penarth is a real treat for a fancy meal out. Cocktails (see more below), cultivated selection of food, succulent starters, perfectly-cooked steak and an atmosphere of sophistication and charm you need if you’re out celebrating, or if it’s the last night of your Wales staycation. Found in a humble location in the street next to Penarth train station.
14. Pizza Pronto
Pizza Pronto is the number one place for Pizza in Penarth and is owned and run by locals. Some of the street food places I’ve visited like Depot or Goodsheds, you have to order an ENTIRE pizza but Pizza Pronto sell just regular slices. Pleasing for the palette and the pocket. They have a sister van found in Cardiff Bay too.
Go For Local Drinks in Penarth
15. Fresh Orange Juice from Windsor Tea Rooms
You can get freshly squeezed orange juice made in front of you and at your order just on the edge of Penarth Windsor Arcade. If you enter the arcade at Griffin Books, you’ll find this unprocessed juice at the very opposite end.
16. Coffee at Ocho Lounge
Ocho Lounge is on the main road in the town centre and perfect for a morning cuppa before exploring for the day.
17. Pint at Railway Hotel
There’s a fair few pubs in Penarth for the size of the town and the majority of them are locally-owned, save The Bears Head (another Wetherspoons). Head to the Railway for a pint in the heart of Penarth (as it says on the tin, near the railway station). As far as Penarth pubs go, this one will make you fit in with the locals.
18. Cocktails at Etc…
While you’re enjoying a steak at Etc…, be sure to sample their cocktail menu. A must-try are the cocktails that almost look like potions because when they come out they have mystical smoke coming from them. The taste is like any decent cocktail bar but the presentation is top-notch (unlike my only photo, apologies).
A Guided Tour in South Wales
If you prefer to go on a guided tour of the charming Penarth, there’s a budget visit for £5 here or for a detailed tour for two for £180 here which covers Cardiff, Penarth, Barry, Llantwit Major, Cowbridge, Dyffryn Gardens, St Fagan’s Museum, Llandaff Cathedral and impressive Castell Coch.
Two More Things To Do In Penarth (Well, Sully But It’s Just Outside Penarth):
Like 2 minutes away from the very first suggestion of Cosmeston, you’ll find The Spinny; the best place to start your day and Sully Sports Club; the place to be on a Sunday for a proper Welsh car boot sale.
I hope you enjoy Penarth as much as I do! Thanks for reading.
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