Is Penarth a nice place to live?

This is the question we asked Penarth residents online recently, and you certainly had your say.

We received over 100 comments from local people giving their thoughts on the town.

The answer... a resounding YES!

Besides the occasional obligatory moan about potholes and parking spaces, the responses served as beautiful reminders of why we all love Penarth.

Following a highly therapeutic and heartwarming process, we've compiled your comments into the following categories:

- Community spirit

- Events

- Scenery and architecture

- Independent Shops

- Convenience and proximity

- and General

Here's what you had to say...

Question: "What are you favourite things about Penarth?"

Community spirit:

- Penarth is a vibrant community full of wonderful and caring people. Many have come together to help others during one of the most difficult times in our history.

- We have many organisations like Tabernacle food bank, Penarth Helping Hands, individuals who help other, carers, nurses

- The huge range of community groups with so many activities available (even during lockdown)

- The selfless "helping hands" group who have given so much support to local people during the pandemic.

- Local facebook groups such as Penarth Reuse - recycling loads of great stuff rather than it going to landfill.

- Love this town wouldn't live anywhere else. It's friendly, sociable and village-like. You recognise friends and neighbours to say hello to when out.

- The lovely people

- It's beautiful and scenic but beyond that, there are some lovely people in the community.

- So many lovely supportive friendly people

Events:

- Lots of fond memories sledding down Alexandra Park, watching the cycle race that used to take place in the summer, the summer fair on the cliff tops

- Penarth community spirit especially at Xmas and the downhill karting (Downhill Derby)

- Our great cultural and entertainment venues like the Paget Rooms, Pier Pavilion Cinema and the (soon to return) Turner House Gallery.

Scenery and architecture

- Access to wonderful coastal walks ie. along the cliff path, Penarth Head, Marina, Barrage.

- Fantastic countryside walks through Cosmeston and local trails

- I particularly like Windsor Gardens. I always thought it was someone's garden when I was younger so only really discovered it about 10 years ago. It's beautiful with stunning views.

- The Kymin, particularly at sunrise.

- The views are beautiful with plenty of green spaces.

- For me the best parts of Penarth are: 1. Cosmeston Country Park and Lakes and 2. The Esplanade and Pier. I live in Dinas Powys and during the pandemic walking over to these 2 locations has been so good for wellbeing! -Every time I visit these locations the weather and the season ensures a different and uplifting experience!

- The lanes at the backs of houses: I used to walk to School using them: much quieter than the streets!

- The sea and St Augustine's Church

- It's beautiful and tranquil, with stunning architecture, lovely parks and wide open spaces.

- We have the Pier, the Esplanade, the Italian Gardens....and who could ever grow tired of the sea, with its rolling waves, it's salty spray, and the squawking gulls circling above our heads?

- It's beautiful and tranquil, with stunning architecture, lovely parks and wide open spaces.

- I love that I can experience sunrises like this right on my doorstep

- The parks, cycle path and Esplanade lift spirits as so beautiful no matter what the weather.

- Love that I can walk to Cosmeston and enjoy the scenery and also take a stroll down to the beautiful pier. What's not to love?

- I love the Victorian homes. How beautifully they are made. I love the parks and town centre.

- I love being able to walk to the cliff tops and the promenade. Sitting in the Italian Gardens eating sandwiches, watching the sea.

Independent Shops

- Collaboration of independent traders in promoting shop local and ensuring we have a range of unique shops and cafés

- There's a huge number of independent businesses and the people are so friendly.

- All the independent shops!

- The sea, esplanade and pier.

- Great shops, bars and restaurants all within walking distance.

- Fish and chips!!!

- That you can walk everywhere to some great local shops and cafes

- Nice coffee shops, restaurants & pubs (when we could do such things)

- The queen bee boutique!

Convenience and Proximity

- Four fast trains an hour to Cardiff (when there's not a pandemic) allow us to live and relax in the Garden By The Sea and work elsewhere.

- The fact it feels like a village but is 10 mins from major city, and a decent airport.

- Everything seems to be within easy walking distance, and there is so much to see.

- Coast and countryside on our doorstep, plus a stone's throw from a capital city and even more beautiful countryside and coast not far away in the other direction.

- So many places within walking distance 

- Electric bikes

- Everything in walking distance

General

- We Love Penarth. We never get bored. Lovely Walk on The pier. And a Coffee. Nice Stroll. Right up to The top. Fabulous. Houses. What More Do you Want.

- Great community of residents and businesses and great place to live.

- Oh Gawd!!!! Where do I start? After hundreds of posts, loadsa video and 74 years a resident! YOU TELL ME!

- I loved Penarth in the late 1970's, three legged pub crawls, a decent Chinese, everybody knew each other. Saturday night at the commodore oh I could go on and on lol.

- Still my home though not lived there for a while.

- Moved here 4 years ago from Cowbridge and never regretted a day

- I remind myself each day of how lucky I am to live here.