Rhiwbina - Garden Village & Square

Navigating The Route

This is a Treasure Hunt walk around Rhiwbina Garden Village and Square, with Explorers helping local historian Ivor Story use the original blueprints to track down a hidden 11th-century chest that was supposedly stashed safely away in Rhiwbina Garden Village.

The quest covers approximately 1.5 miles and should take around 1.5 hours to complete. You'll begin near Rhiwbina Recreation Club on Lon-Y-Dail, looking towards Rhiwbina Primary School for the first clue, then explore Rhiwbina Garden Village, Parc-y-Pentre, Beulah Church, footpaths near All Saints Church and the Butchers Arms area before looping back to the shops area at the end.

This Trail is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The route is mainly flat, with narrow hedged paths, a footpath and footbridge, plus several road crossings including the main road and pedestrian crossings.

The main road through Rhiwbina is very busy, so keep Mini Explorers close and take care with traffic. The route also passes by a stream that can be deep, so stay clear while the treasure-hunting continues.

Getting There

By car: Get to Rhiwbina easily from the M4 junction 32 and the A470. The adventure starts near Rhiwbina Recreation Club, on Lon-Y-Dail, looking for Rhiwbina Primary School for the first clue (CF14 6EA). For parking, find somewhere safe to park your expedition vehicle near Lon-Y-Dail.

By public transport: Make your way to Lon-Y-Dail near Rhiwbina Recreation Club, then look towards Rhiwbina Primary School to begin the hunt.

Need the Loo?

Plan ahead before setting off, Explorers - there aren't any public toilets on the route.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers can come along for the treasure hunt. 🐾

The route includes narrow hedged paths, a footpath and footbridge, road crossings and a very busy main road through Rhiwbina, so keep dogs close around traffic and tighter sections. Stay clear of the stream along the way too, as it can be deep.

Food & Drink Stops

Blueprint-reading and chest-chasing can work up an appetite. There are a few chances to stop for refreshments and stock up on snacks around Clue 12 or at the end, and the area also has lovely shops, a library and cafes.

If you'd rather bring your own supplies, pack a picnic and enjoy it at Clue 07 in the park.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Rhiwbina Garden Village

The star of this quest is the Garden Village itself. Built before the First World War, Rhiwbina is one of the best examples of a Garden Village in the UK, designed so that everyone had their own space and there were places for children to play. Take time to enjoy the beautiful village feel, quiet Cardiff suburb setting, lovely shops, library and cafes once the hidden chest has had its moment.

Parc-y-Pentre

Parc-y-Pentre gives Explorers a green breather along the way. This open space was originally intended to be built as a garden village, like Y Groes, and the route invites you to stand in the park to take in the view.

Beulah Church

The route goes to the front of Beulah Church, where eagle-eyed treasure seekers will have details to investigate. Nearby, the Trail also notes a foundation stone laid in 1890, adding another historic layer to the village's story.

All Saints Church

The quest passes All Saints Church on the footpath near Heol-Y-Felin. It's another peaceful local landmark to pause by as the blueprints, village paths and hidden-history clues start to come together.

The Butchers Arms and Rhyd Waedlyd

Near the Butchers Arms, the story gets properly ancient. The last native Welsh Prince of Glamorgan, Iestyn ap Gwrgant, may have been killed in a battle here towards the end of the 11th-century, and the nearby stream is still called Rhyd Waedlyd, meaning 'Bloody Ford'.