Rock Park at Llandrindod Wells

Rock Park is one of the earliest public parks in Wales dating from the late 1860s, when the arrival of the railway and the enclosure of common land led to the development of Llandrindod as a flourishing spa town.

The park, which covers approximately 12 acres (4.9 ha), slopes from the north towards the River Ithon, which forms the western boundary of the park and is listed as Grade 11 on the register of historic parks and gardens. A Site of Special Scientific Interest lies along the steep banks of the river.

There are a number of mineral springs in the park, including saline, sulphur, magnesia, lithia, radium and chalybeate, the last being the only one that is still available to drink from a marble drinking fountain.

The springs were known in Roman times when the area was known as Balnea Siluria (baths of the Silures). There are a number of Roman practice camps in the fields to the south of the park, and a Roman Road runs through the park on SW, NE direction; there is also a Roman well beneath the paved area in front of the Spa Buildings.

A Victorian arboretum occupies the northern part of the park with native woodland to the West along the banks of the River Ithon. A network of paths connect the different areas and bridges cross the Arlais Brook, which runs through on a south-west diagonal to join the river. At the south-west extremity a natural rock outcrop above the river, known as Lover’s Leap, provides a viewing point.

Rock Park includes the original Spa Buildings comprising the original Pump Rooms and Bath House, plus extensive outdoor bowling greens.