Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs
BEST FOR
Ages 6-18
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Cardiff
What it’s like
Open water swimming, sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding on two reservoirs, plus walking trails around the water.
This is the spot for anyone whose kids have outgrown the paddling pool and want to get on actual water. There's open water swimming, sailing, canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, plus RYA youth sailing courses if you've got someone serious about it. School holidays bring activities aimed at 8 to 16 year olds, so it's less a wander-round-and-look site and more somewhere you turn up to do something.
Entry itself is free, which helps, because the water activities aren't and you'll want to budget for those separately. Walking trails and a connect-with-nature programme are there for the days you just want to be outside without booking anything, and the waterside path around Llanishen Reservoir stays open even when other bits close for maintenance (there's about eight weeks of path closures from 8 September, with the Story Trail and Towy Road Gate shut during that window).
The café does seasonal menus with vegan and gluten-free options, and there's a Grab & Go counter if you just want a coffee before the kids get wet. Parking is free for the first 90 minutes, which covers a quick drop-off or a coffee, then it's £3 up to four hours or £6 for the full day, so a proper session on the water will cost you the higher rate. Dogs are welcome on the café balcony and in the car park but not on the paths themselves, which is worth knowing if you were planning a dog walk alongside the reservoir loop.
Birthday parties run here too, ages 6 to 18, either activities only or activities plus a hot meal, on weekends year-round or weekdays in the school holidays. The site's fully accessible, with a lift up to the café and accessible parking and toilets.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 6 to 18, built around water sports rather than toddler play
- Parking
- Free for 90 minutes. £3 for 4 hours
- Food
- Café with seasonal menus including vegan and gluten-free options
- Wheelchairs
- Fully accessible visitor centre with lift to café
- Dogs
- Allowed on café balcony, car park and Grab & Go seating area only
- Getting there by bus or train
- Multiple pedestrian entrances: Towy Road (south-west corner), Rhyd-y-penau Road (south-east corner), Black Oak Gate (eastern side)
- Parties
- Birthday parties ages 6-18. Activities only (£200 for 10 children, 2 hours) or activities plus hot meal (£320 for 10 children, 2.5 hours)
- Pedestrian entrances close overnight, from 8pm in summer, 6pm in autumn and 4pm in winter
- Three pedestrian entrances: Towy Road, Rhyd-y-penau Road and Black Oak Gate
- Cycle routes connect through to the Nant Fawr Trail if you're arriving on two wheels
- Parking can be paid via card, cash or the NexusPay-GroupNexus app, whichever's easiest
Plan your visit
How much does it cost to get in?
Entry to the site is free. The water activities like sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding are booked and paid for separately.
What's the parking like?
Free for the first 90 minutes, £3 for up to four hours, £6 for the full day. You can pay by card or cash at the visitor centre or at the machines.
Is it OK for young children?
The activities listed start from age 6, with school holiday sessions aimed at 8 to 16 year olds. It suits kids old enough to actually take part in sailing or paddleboarding rather than toddlers.
What can kids actually do there?
Open water swimming, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding and RYA youth sailing courses. There are also walking trails and a nature programme for a quieter visit.
Is there food on site?
Yes, a café with seasonal menus including vegan and gluten-free options, plus a Grab & Go for takeaway coffee and pre-packaged food.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are allowed on the café balcony, in the car park and at the Grab & Go seating area, but not on the paths.
Do you do birthday parties?
For ages 6 to 18. It's £200 for 10 children over 2 hours for activities only, or £320 for 2.5 hours with a hot meal included.
What are the opening hours?
In summer the site is open 9am to 8pm daily, dropping to 9am to 6pm in autumn. The café closes earlier, at 5pm in summer and 4pm in autumn.
Do we need to book?
There's no booking link for general entry since it's free to walk around, but activities and parties will need arranging directly.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
The visitor centre has a lift up to the café, plus accessible parking and toilets on site.
Are there path closures to know about?
From 8 September there are around eight weeks of closures affecting the Story Trail and Towy Road Gate, though the waterside path around Llanishen Reservoir stays open.
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