Penarth - The Esplanade and Penarth Head - from 'Round the Coast - an album of pictures from photographs of the chief seaside places of interest in Great Britain and Ireland' published in 1895 by George Newnes Limited from the Penarth Dock Collection. The lower image has been colourised. [001] The following text is also from the album:-

Penarth - 'What the Mumbles are to Swansea, Penarth is to Cardiff, of which it may be considered a suburb. Twenty years ago it might have passed as a type of dismal, forlorn, resort, with the one solitary advantage of a good look-out on to the busy Bristol Channel. Of late, considerable improvements have been made, and Penarth now stands in high favour - locally and otherwise. There is railway communication with Cardiff, and frequent steamboats ply across the harbour when the tide serves. Close at hand lies Llandaff, with its cathedral, and some miles away are the grand ruins of Caerphilly Castle. Penarth stands on a breezy cliff, where fine pleasure grounds have been laid out. The bathing is not to be praised, the water being muddy and the beach very shingly. There are, however, some excellent swimming baths. To locate the exact position of this little place still more explicitly, we may mention that it lies at the mouth of the Taff Estuary, (No it isn't!) four miles from Cardiff. It now contains about 12,500 inhabitants. The commercial part of the town lies on the north side of Penarth Head, adjoining the extensive Penarth Docks ; while the other side is occupied by comfortable-looking villas, separated from the sea by an esplanade. The Windsor Gardens, above the esplanade, afford pleasant walks and views, but a more extensive panorama is commanded from Penarth Head itself, which is at least 200ft. high. As a matter of fact, Penarth was, until quite recently, merely the marine residence and bathing resort of the well-to-do inhabitants of Cardiff ; now, however, the little place is fast becoming known as a holiday resort, and bids fair to become of far more than local importance.'

Alexandra Gardens, Penarth - Some fine examples of the topiary which I can just recall seeing as a young boy. There was so much civic pride in Penarth in the 1950's which just seemed to evaporate as we entered the swinging 60's and onwards. Obviously, the talented gardener responsible for these living statues retired, or was made redundant, and as always seems to be the case wasn't replaced, so the art became extinct mirroring the demise of maritime and engineering expertise in the town. The lower image has been colourised. Julie tells me that she used to play on the grass slopes under the topiary when she was a member of the Girl Guides and the Brownies. [001]

The Fountain, Alexandra Gardens, Penarth - A postcard view across the Seven Sea to the shores of Somerset with the rear elevation of the Esplanade Hotel. In the foreground is the splendid fountain; a fine water feature which I used to enjoy as a child especially as the nearby aviary was well stocked. The postcard was published by both W. A. Stephens, Noah's Ark, Windsor Road, Penarth, and Valentine's. the date is not specified but is postdated June 1916. Another piece of interesting social history from the Penarth Dock Collection. [001]