Sophia Gardens

Sophia Gardens is a large public park in Riverside, Cardiff, Wales, on the west bank of the River Taff. International test cricket matches and county cricket matches are held in the SSE SWALEC stadium, the home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club.The park is located close to Cardiff city centre and is adjacent to Bute Park and Pontcanna Fields, forming part of the city's 'green lung'. Sophia Gardens is linked to Bute Park by the Millennium footbridge over the River Taff (1999). In addition to the Glamorgan County Cricket Ground, Sophia Gardens contains the Sport Wales National Centre, Y Mochyn Du public house, an exhibition area and a car and coach park.HistoryThe park is named after Lady Sophia Rawdon-Hastings, daughter of the 1st Marquess of Hastings and wife to the 2nd Marquess of Bute. Lady Sophia was concerned to provide open space for recreation in the rapidly expanding town in the late 19th century, in which her husband was heavily involved. The gardens were laid out in 1854 on the site of Plasturton Farm by the architect Alexander Roos. They were opened to the public by Lady Sophia in 1858, to compensate for the closure of Cardiff Castle grounds. The park was extended northwards by 28 acres in about 1879. The park was acquired by Cardiff City Council, then the Cardiff Corporation, from the 5th Marquess of Bute in 1947.