Sophia Gardens

On the edge of the city centre of Cardiff is a great big park. Part of the park is the castle and castle grounds, but the rest is open free to the public. It includes the river, which was flowing very fast while we were there, and endless amounts of green space.

Sophia Gardens is exactly what I think of when I imagine the perfect park. The trees are so big and old you could shelter under them in a storm and not get wet and there are so many different species that you could never get bored looking at them. There are huge grassy spaces perfect for running around with a ball or lazing in the sun. There are benches dotted around the curving paths, and every now and then you'll find a sculpture of some kind hidden amongst the greenery. Squirrels are abundant and friendly, as are the pet dogs who are let off their leash to run around, even though they're not meant to.

We were here in autumn, which meant that the whole park was a thousand different colours. Fallen leaves carpeted the ground, but unfortunately they were too wet to play with. I can only imagine how it will change and be just as beautiful in each season - perhaps we will have to return every few months to find out!

I was completely enchanted by this park, it is quite possibly one of my favourite places out of all I have seen of the world so far. Granted that is not much at all, but I think it's going to be hard to beat!