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Castles

The Animal Wall

Castles

The Animal Wall

Highlight • Monument

The Animal Wall

Recommended by 46 hikers out of 48

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Location: Cardiff, South Wales, Wales, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to The Animal Wall

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1. The Animal Wall – Bute Park loop from Cathays

6.08km

01:34

30m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.2

(6)

hikers

2. Wales Millennium Centre – Cardiff Market loop from Cardiff Bay

8.47km

02:10

30m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

5.0

(1)

hikers

3. Cardiff Market – Bute Park loop from Canton

5.21km

01:20

20m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

christian427

October 23, 2022

The best view of the the Animal Wall is at the southern boundary of the park from Castle Street.

The carving of the animals began in the late 1880s. Architect William Frame brought the wall to life, based on sketches byarchitect William Burges who was employed by the 3rd Marquess of Bute.

The original wall was built in the 1890s directly outside the castle. Original animals included: a pair of lions holding shields, a lioness, a lynx, a bear, a sea lion, a wolf, a pair of apes and a hyena. You can tell these apart from their later cousins because they have glass eyes.

The wall was moved and relocated west of the Castle in 1923 due to the widening of Duke Street, and six extra animals were added. The six additional animals were the vulture, beaver, leopard, a pair of raccoons, a pelican and an anteater.

bute-park.com/attraction/the-animal-wall

Peter Turner

October 6, 2025

This wall extends from the castle and has stone carvings of various animals which would have been very exotic when it was created. Much fun 🙂

Hier kommt der Claus

October 29, 2022

Totally cool wall - unfortunately a bit too close to the street

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Details

Informations

Elevation 10 m

Weather

Today

Sunday 26 October

13°C

10°C

70 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Cardiff, South Wales, Wales, United Kingdom

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The Animal Wall

1. The Animal Wall – Bute Park loop from Cathays

2. Wales Millennium Centre – Cardiff Market loop from Cardiff Bay

3. Cardiff Market – Bute Park loop from Canton

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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