Landscape study of Cardiff

Cardiff’s landscape

About one third of Cardiff’s area is countryside or green space.  Climate, rocks, vegetation and land use have combined to produce a variety of landscapes.  These include coastal marsh, river valleys, rolling farmland, ‘upland’ pasture and wooded hills.  Cardiff’s landscape is an important part of its distinctive character, and helps make it an attractive place to live and work

The landscape study of Cardiff

The landscape study of Cardiff was published in 1999.  The study covers Cardiff’s countryside.  Its main aim is to help people understand the County’s landscape.  It sets out the key features that make positive or negative contributions to each area’s character and quality.  This information is useful to help assess development proposals and countryside management.  A leaflet called Cardiff  Landscape Study is available free of charge.

The Landmap methodology is promoted by the Countryside Council for Wales and Welsh Assembly Government.  It breaks the landscape down into a number of layers (including earth science, visual and sensory, biodiversity and history), 14 character areas have been identified by overlaying these layers. Detailed information is available for each character area, listed below.

1. Garth Hill Uplands*
2. Pentyrch Ridges and Valleys*
3. Creigiau and Llaniltern Lowlands
4. Tydu and Stockland Lowlands
5. Radyr and Morganstown Lowlands
6. St Fagans Lowlands and Ely Valley*
7. River Taff Corridor
8. Fforest Fawr and Caerphilly Ridge*
9. Caerphilly Ridge Foothills
10. Nant Glandulais Lowlands
11. River Rhymney Corridor
12. Northern St Mellons Lowlands
13. Wentloog Levels*
14. Flat Holm*

It also proposes Special Landscape Areas (marked*). These areas are of particularly high value and need special protection.

ID: 591   Revised: 4 Apr 2006