Exploring Insole Court

Nestled in the leafy Cardiff suburb of Llandaff, Insole Court is a Grade II* listed mansion house with a rich history and a vibrant events programme. After an extensive refurbishment, it is now run by a registered charity, the Insole Court Trust. Entry to the ground floor of the mansion and gardens is free of charge, though donations are gratefully received.

On the first floor of the Mansion, visitors can experience a permanent heritage exhibition, “This House is a Stage”. This walk-through audio drama brings local history to life, telling the stories of the rise and the fall of the Insole family and their contribution to South Wales’ industrial past. Entry is free but we would appreciate a suggested donation of £5 for adults and £2.50 for under 16’s.

Insole Court’s Stable Yard Room Hire facilities are available daily for community, business and private functions. The Potting Shed Café, with it’s indoor and outdoor seating , is a space that celebrates good, ethical and home-made food.

For more information on our classes, activities and events, please visit our What’s On page.

There are also extensive gardens, open as a public park for visitors to enjoy.

For more information on our classes, activities and events, please visit our What’s On page.

Opening Hours

Potting Shed Cafe: 9am-5pm

Mansion House: 10am-4pm

Gift Shop: 10am-4pm

Gardens: Sunrise – Sunset

FAQs

If your question isn’t answered below, please email [email protected]

Cycling

Bike racks are available at both the Potting Shed southern entrance and at the Mansion in front of the Swiss Wing

Public Transport

By Bus
The nearest buses that operate between Cardiff city centre and Insole Court are:
66 (Cardiff Bus)
Alight on Fairwater Road at Rookwood Close, walk back 150m to the North gate.
25, 62 or 63 (Cardiff Bus) & 122 or 124 (Stagecoach)
This stop is 550m from the North Gate on Fairwater Rd. Alight at Llandaff Black Lion, walk up the hill to the traffic lights, turn left into Fairwater Road, and follow the brown signs.

Insole Court is approximately a 25 minute bus ride from Cardiff city centre.
You can plan your bus or train journey using the Traveline Cymru website or by calling their helpline on 0300 200 22 33.


By Train
The nearest station is Fairwater. Insole Court is 500m from the Fairwater Road exit. Services are operated by Transport For Wales on the City Line that runs from Coryton to Radyr through the city centre (and in reverse).

Eating

The Potting Shed Cafe is open 9-5 daily and serves a selection of locally sourced, seasonal dishes as well as coffee, cakes and bakes. There are picnic benches in the grounds for you to enjoy takeaway orders during busy times.

Dog Walkers

Dog walkers are welcome around the site. A water bowl is available by the Gift Shop and we sell dog treats in both the Gift Shop and the Mansion, We kindly ask that dogs are kept on leads on the northern drive and in the car park for safety.

Parking

We have a dedicated Car Park on site with spaces taken on a first come first serve basis. Parking is free but we ask for a suggested donation of £3 for those who can afford it. This can be paid in the Gift Shop or the Foyer of the Mansion. When the Car Park is full we ask people not to park in undesignated places but to instead park off site on the surrounding streets. Please respect local residents when finding a space.

Accessibility

Both the Stable Yard and Mansion have disabled access toilets. Please download a map from our ‘Visit’ page to view accessible pathways in the gardens. Assistance dogs are allowed in all buildings. Disabled parking is available north of the Gift Shop in our car park.

Baby Changing

Baby Changing facilities are available in both the Mansion and in 2 locations in the Stableyard.

Wi-Fi

1 day wi-fi codes are available from the Potting Shed Cafe and Gift Shop. Join the network ‘Insole Court Free Wi-Fi’ and enter your code.

Become a Member

By joining as a member you will help us conserve Insole Court and ensure its future as a place for all the people of Cardiff. So please support us today.

Find Out More