Despite a very cold and grey morning, thirteen WW met up to arrange car share over to Cosmeston Lakes by Penarth, and there we met up with Sally who recently moved from Wick to Penarth who joined us for the walk.
Cosmeston Lakes opened to the public in 1978, previously having been a limestone quarry providing stone to the nearby Cement works from 1911 to 1969, with its own railway line, and a carriage truck is on display by the visitors’ centre. There is 110 acres of lakes, woodland and meadows and the country park gained Nature Reserve status in 2013. The two large lakes are divided by a bridge on the main footpath named ‘Mile End’ and are a haven for waterfowl such as swans, mallards, greebs and coots.
We all set off on the boardwalk from the visitor centre and admired the recent redevelopment of this area, and the little black coots swimming among the reeds and bullrushes. Stopping to have a quick look around Cosmeston Mediveal Village, which is a full-scale reconstruction of a 13-14th medieval village on its original site and foundations, we proceeded to follow the footpaths around the lakes.
At the top of the lake, we stopped to admire the lovely view and have a photo before joining Mile End footpath. I have discovered that Mile End footpath was originally a road built by the Bute family back in the 18th Century to link Cogan Hall Farm to Swanbridge, once a small port. Nowadays it is used by walkers, cyclists, horses and runners and there is a park run held on Saturdays in the country park.
We followed the footpath alongside the lake past a very good outdoor adventure playground back to the visitor centre and enjoyed refreshments in the warmth of the lakeside cafe. Thank you all for venturing out on a cold day to join me on our short walk.
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