Gorsedd Gardens

The stone circle

The stones were set up for the National Eisteddfod of 1899, held on the ground where City Hall now stands. They are 19th-century quarried sandstone from the Penarth cliffs rather than prehistoric stones, and they were moved and re-erected when the civic centre was built. The central stones have gone, but the outer ring remains, with drill holes still visible.

Statues and setting

The gardens were laid out as the new City Hall opened in the early 1900s and frame the white Portland stone of the museum and City Hall. Look for the statue of David Lloyd George on its high plinth and the memorial to coal owner and philanthropist John Cory. Flowerbeds and benches make it a good lunch spot on a fine day. The museum's front steps, facing the gardens, give the best overall view.

How to use it

Allow 15 minutes, not a morning. It's best paired with National Museum Cardiff directly behind, then a walk to Alexandra Gardens and the Welsh National War Memorial, or into the city centre via Queen Street. There's a coffee cabin at the edge of the gardens for a takeaway.

Highlights

• Stone circle from the 1899 National Eisteddfod
• Statue of David Lloyd George
• In front of National Museum Cardiff
• Free, open green space in the civic centre

Good to know

• Free to enter.
• The stones are 19th-century, not prehistoric.
• A coffee cabin sits beside the gardens.

Frequently asked questions