Bute Park, Cardiff

The beautiful Bute Park provides Cardiff with greenery in the very centre of the city. Straddling the River Taff, it offers a combination of arboretum, flower gardens, recreation grounds and even some standing stones. Within the park's grounds is the Glamorgan County Cricket Club , Sophia Gardens, the Welsh Institute of Sport and a riding school. The park backs onto a music and drama college so listen out for the sound of strings and oboes as you walk past. Especially busy at weekends, it is also popular with city workers taking a quick lunchtime stroll.