is an inner-city district and community in the west of Cardiff, Wales. It is located adjacent to Canton, Cardiff. It is also located a short distance to the city centre, and its borders are approximately indicated by Western Avenue, the River Taff, Cowbridge Road East and Llandaff Road.
Description
Pontcanna is an area of wide tree-lined streets and large houses. It is a relatively wealthy area with numerous cafes and independent retailers centred on Pontcanna Street and Cathedral Road. There is both a large English-born population (roughly 25%) and a smaller Welsh-speaking population (roughly 20%). The area was formerly home to the television studios of TWW, Teledu Cymru, HTV and S4C's headquarters; the BBC Wales's Broadcasting House was nearby in Llandaff.
Many of the larger villas (particularly on Cathedral Road) have been converted into flats, guest houses or business premises. Located on the edge of Cardiff city centre, Pontcanna gives easy access to the centre for professionals, as well as access via the Gabalfa Interchange to the A48(M) motorway.
History
The name Pontcanna stems from Pont Canna Farm, which in turn was named after a bridge across the Whitehouse Brook, a one-time tributary of the River Taff which ran between Llandaff Fields and Riverside. The bridge is believed to have stood near the junction of what, today, are Teilo Street and Cathedral Road. The bridge was removed (and the brook covered up) in 1896. This is now a public amenity known as Sophia Gardens and was a catalyst for the development of Pontcanna.
Between 1885 and 1900 the large villas along Cathedral Road were constructed. After Cardiff's Jewish community had largely moved to the suburbs, it was closed in 1989. The parkland includes the Cardiff City Riding School, football pitches and allotments.
Plasturton Gardens is a small public park between Plasturton Avenue and Plasturton Place.
The SWALEC Stadium (home to Glamorgan County Cricket Club) and the Sport Wales National Centre are located on Sophia Close, just north of Sophia Gardens Park.
Government
Pontcanna is part of the Cardiff electoral ward of Riverside, and in the Cardiff West UK parliamentary constituency.
In 2016 Pontcanna became a local government community in its own right, having previously been part of the Riverside community. However, it does not have a community council.