Cosmeston Lakes Country Park
Cosmeston Lakes Country Park
Cosmeston Lakes Country Park
4.5
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Monday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Friday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
433 reviews
Excellent
233
Very good
144
Average
29
Poor
11
Terrible
16
Sam P
Bridgend, UK4 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
Lots of lovely walks by the lakes, There was a great park for the children to play in and a great medieval village which was very quiet when we visited as the way there is not very clear or signposted but once you have done it once it is easy to remember to way, We went to the back of the car park by the cafe and then there is a boardwalk area which takes you straight there if you follow the path, there is also another option which is probably quicker but the other route is more scenic. If the weather is wet the paths around some of the lakes get very muddy in the winter and would recommend bringing shoes suitable for that weather. We went on a quiet Friday afternoon and as it was a work day around the park was much quieter than our last visit which was much busier, The park was nearly empty and we hardly saw anyone walking around the outer lakes. I would recommend this for nice relaxing time out and if you like lots of walking.
Written November 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joanne N
359 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Recently my sister and nephews took me on a day trip to the Tortoise Sanctuary in Sully. They bought an annual membership for £24, allowing them to visit the sanctuary every Sunday between May and September (some of the tortoises hibernate the rest of the year). This was my first visit to the sanctuary and we spent 2 hours meeting the tortoises and terrapins, and chatting to the volunteers before heading to Cosmeston Country Park.
It's been a while since I have been to Cosmeston Country Park and it was just as I remembered it, absolutely beautiful. There was a large carpark, plenty of grassland with walking trails, a medieval museum, a huge lake, cafe and children's playground. My nephews spent about an hour in the playground, before feeding the ducks and swans on the lake. After feeding the ducks we enjoyed a delicious picnic prepared by the children under the supervision of my sister. The coronation chicken sandwiches made by the youngest were delicious. My eldest nephew made sausage rolls and cup cakes which were equally as nice. The Country Park was very busy and there were lots of families enjoying spending time together. The park was immaculate and we purchased drinks and ice-cream from the cafe.
It's been a while since I have been to Cosmeston Country Park and it was just as I remembered it, absolutely beautiful. There was a large carpark, plenty of grassland with walking trails, a medieval museum, a huge lake, cafe and children's playground. My nephews spent about an hour in the playground, before feeding the ducks and swans on the lake. After feeding the ducks we enjoyed a delicious picnic prepared by the children under the supervision of my sister. The coronation chicken sandwiches made by the youngest were delicious. My eldest nephew made sausage rolls and cup cakes which were equally as nice. The Country Park was very busy and there were lots of families enjoying spending time together. The park was immaculate and we purchased drinks and ice-cream from the cafe.
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jude Brigley
Maesteg, UK54 contributions
Jul 2023
On a sunny day, this is is a pleasant place to walk. It has a cafe on site. It has recently started charging for parking but it is not too expensive. Ducks, geese and squirrels and a few swans make the walk interesting as do various views of the lake.
Written July 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike H
4 contributions
Apr 2023
Don’t bother!
We travelled 20 miles each way only to find when we arrived at the actual village that it was closed for a wedding. No sign at the Visitor Centre, you had to walk to the village to discover that it was closed.
The website says “OPEN 7 days a week. Free to enter. Closed December 24/25/26 and Jan 1st.
Nowhere did it say CLOSED April 3rd for a wedding!
The whole point of a website is to communicate with people.
This lack of communication is inexcusable.
The adventure playground is several hundred yards from the toilets. Who thought that was a good idea?
Very little seating at the playground for adults to watch and supervise their children. Surely perimeter seating is not too expensive?
During wet weather the playground is obviously a sea of mud. Fortunately the day we were there it had dried out somewhat.
When I say the toilets were several hundred yards away, I mean the toile building was several hundred yards away. They too were closed! The toilets (3 unisex cubicles) at the cafe were open, as long as you were prepared to queue.
It is a shame that they can afford to pay for parking patrols to put penalty notices on some cars in the parking area, but can’t afford to pay a plumber to repair the toilets.
And this was the first weekday of the school Easter holidays with very many people being there.
We travelled 20 miles each way only to find when we arrived at the actual village that it was closed for a wedding. No sign at the Visitor Centre, you had to walk to the village to discover that it was closed.
The website says “OPEN 7 days a week. Free to enter. Closed December 24/25/26 and Jan 1st.
Nowhere did it say CLOSED April 3rd for a wedding!
The whole point of a website is to communicate with people.
This lack of communication is inexcusable.
The adventure playground is several hundred yards from the toilets. Who thought that was a good idea?
Very little seating at the playground for adults to watch and supervise their children. Surely perimeter seating is not too expensive?
During wet weather the playground is obviously a sea of mud. Fortunately the day we were there it had dried out somewhat.
When I say the toilets were several hundred yards away, I mean the toile building was several hundred yards away. They too were closed! The toilets (3 unisex cubicles) at the cafe were open, as long as you were prepared to queue.
It is a shame that they can afford to pay for parking patrols to put penalty notices on some cars in the parking area, but can’t afford to pay a plumber to repair the toilets.
And this was the first weekday of the school Easter holidays with very many people being there.
Written April 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helz P
1 contribution
Aug 2022 • Family
The cafe prices are extortionate for the food that is served there. The burger I had said it was 100% beef it was not, it tasted sub standard, for the price you think it would be served with chips/salad but it was just a plain bap, we also had a child's meal but they got the order wrong we didn't complain as we had waited a long time before our food arrived and the little one was very hungry. Felt sorry for the staff as they were rushed off their feet.
Written September 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Welshfolks_abroad
Neath Port Talbot, UK32 contributions
Sep 2024 • Family
We visited this amazing place today. Grandparents with two 10 year old boys and their mother. Well laid out footpaths and clear signs around the Country Park giving lots of useful information. We had a great time.
However, our visit to the cafe was the low point in the day. Miserable staff and an exceptionally long wait for our meals. When the food arrived it was barely edible at best. Boys had a brunch of sausage, bacon, egg and chips. Neither of them could eat the hard, dried out bacon and they both left most of the tasteless meal. My daughter had a jacket potato with tuna. The potato was probably cooked in the microwave and was barely edible. My supposedly ‘hand battered’ cod was tiny and tasteless, with a few chips and peas on the side. My wife’s bacon roll also contained the hard, inedible bacon so she left most of it on her plate. Staff appeared too busy so we couldn’t complain at the time. My advice would be to take a picnic and enjoy that at one of the many tables and benches around the park.
The toilets are pretty smelly, filthy and generally disgusting.
However, our visit to the cafe was the low point in the day. Miserable staff and an exceptionally long wait for our meals. When the food arrived it was barely edible at best. Boys had a brunch of sausage, bacon, egg and chips. Neither of them could eat the hard, dried out bacon and they both left most of the tasteless meal. My daughter had a jacket potato with tuna. The potato was probably cooked in the microwave and was barely edible. My supposedly ‘hand battered’ cod was tiny and tasteless, with a few chips and peas on the side. My wife’s bacon roll also contained the hard, inedible bacon so she left most of it on her plate. Staff appeared too busy so we couldn’t complain at the time. My advice would be to take a picnic and enjoy that at one of the many tables and benches around the park.
The toilets are pretty smelly, filthy and generally disgusting.
Written September 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZiggyFoody
Penarth, UK207 contributions
Mar 2022 • Solo
Perfect for relaxing walks, running, spotting wildlife and picnics in the summer.
Nestled between Penarth and the beautiful coastal village of Sully. This park is a place of natural beauty and lovely paths to walk spotting squirrels, birds and wildlife.
Free to the public and with a cafe at the park it's perfect for families or even solo walks. Many take a picnic blanket and a book in the summer and take in the views and fresh air.
Nestled between Penarth and the beautiful coastal village of Sully. This park is a place of natural beauty and lovely paths to walk spotting squirrels, birds and wildlife.
Free to the public and with a cafe at the park it's perfect for families or even solo walks. Many take a picnic blanket and a book in the summer and take in the views and fresh air.
Written June 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe D
Chepstow, UK52 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This is a great place for short gentle walks as well as slightly longer ones.
I've been three times with my partner now and never failed to see swans, geese, ducks and squirrels all within touching distance. We've also been lucky enough to see cormorants and a water vole!
The site has free parking, toilets, a cafe and a children's park as well as a paid historic village to visit.
I would highly recommend although if you're keen on the wildlife, expect it to be interrupted by children and/or dogs as this is a popular location!
I've been three times with my partner now and never failed to see swans, geese, ducks and squirrels all within touching distance. We've also been lucky enough to see cormorants and a water vole!
The site has free parking, toilets, a cafe and a children's park as well as a paid historic village to visit.
I would highly recommend although if you're keen on the wildlife, expect it to be interrupted by children and/or dogs as this is a popular location!
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louisa A
Newport South Wales12 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
Lakes were lovely, the food in the cafe was disappointing,ordered cheese and onion toastie,I said I'll sit outside, it came in a paper bag ,I asked where the salad and coleslaw was.. apparently ran out.. the bread was thin,cheap, nasty and tasteless. The bread was hardly toasted ,it wasn't cheap £4.50 . Spoilt the day, will never eat there again, If it wasn't so expensive I'd of fed it to the swans.
Written March 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer J Jorgensen
1 contribution
Aug 2021
Lovely park. Beautiful walks and views, sadly the Fresh restaurant was lamentably bad, we waited 30 mins for sandwiches that when they arrived were not what we ordered. I would advise anybody visiting this park to bring a picnic or eat elsewhere. Small children cannot wait this amount of time for food that when it arrived was poor quality.
Written August 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you take disposable barbeques or camping stoves (as long as you clean it all up)?
Written March 7, 2022
Personally I wouldn't because I don't agree with their use due to the damage they can cause but I couldn't provide a definitive answer for you I'm sorry
Written March 12, 2022
Are local people allowed to do their usual walk around the lakes during lockdown
Written April 21, 2020
It seems cosmeston lakes has been closed until further notice for all types of visitors.
Written April 21, 2020
There are certain areas where they are permitted and these are shown with small circles signs with paws inside. The colours indicate if they can be on or off the lead. Green is off the lead, orange on the lead and red is no dogs allowed.
Written October 31, 2019
Is it suitable for the disabled/wheelchairs/toilets etc
Written August 29, 2019
Ok near cafe but path uneven
Written October 2, 2019
Are the lakes still accessible after 17.00 for dog walking?
Written May 21, 2019
Yes, there are no gates or fencing.
Written May 22, 2019
Where can I pitch a small tent for one night "this sat " at Cosmoston or near by pls
Written May 16, 2019
Marconi Holiday Village is in walking distance and has a web site.
Written May 16, 2019
Hi. Once a place of tranquility for a liovely peaceful walk. Now u can't have a decent walk without a dog running up at you or feeling threatened by dogs off leads. Dogs mess everywhere and poo bags hanging on the bushes here and there. Uncouth dog owners are getting decent dog owners a bad name. What can be done????
Written November 1, 2018
Not sure what can be done, some dog owners can't be educated unfortunately. We walk our dog here occasionally and although we didn't encounter much dog poo we didn't see many bins either, not an excuse to just discard poo bags, why not take it with you, your dog made the mess!!! Sorry this isn't an answer to the problem but as I said you can't educate some people.
Written November 1, 2018
Is there any kayaking available? If so, can I bring my own kayak to use on the lake?
Written August 29, 2017
I believe it can be arranged with clubs etc. but you are unable to take your own kayak and use the lake. As far as I am aware sailing, swimming and the use of radio controlled boats is very limited and by prior opointment only.
Written September 5, 2017
Yes it's on a bus route and there are no entry fees to the lakes
Written June 30, 2017
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