Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, Country park and nature reserve near Penarth, Wales.
Cosmeston Lakes Country Park is a nature reserve near Penarth featuring two lakes that were created from former quarries. The site covers roughly 100 hectares of meadows, woodlands, and grasslands that attract different kinds of wildlife.
The site began as a limestone quarry before being transformed into a public park in the late 1970s. This shift from industrial extraction to protected natural space marked a major change in how the land was used and valued.
Environmental education sessions take place throughout the year, teaching visitors about local wildlife through ranger-led programs and activities.
The park has multiple entrances with parking areas distributed across different sections, making it easy to access various parts of the site. Walking paths cross the grounds and offer routes suitable for different fitness levels.
The lakes now provide habitat for uncommon waterfowl and protected plant species that thrive in the restored ecosystem. Visitors can watch how wildlife uses these man-made waters that emerged from industrial activity.
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