Animal Wall, Cardiff Travel Guide

Lining the southern edge of Bute Park, just west of Cardiff Castle’s entrance, the Animal Wall is a charming procession of 15 stone animals carved into a low stone wall. Originally conceived by Victorian architect William Burges for the 3rd Marquess of Bute, the wall was built in the late 1880s and early 1890s under the supervision of William Frame. The first nine animals – including lions, a lioness, a bear, a wolf, a lynx, a hyena, a seal, and a pair of baboons – were sculpted by Thomas Nicholls, Burges’s favoured carver. These original figures once stood directly in front of the castle, forming a lively stone menagerie at the castle’s moat garden.

In the early 1920s, road widening in front of Cardiff Castle required the wall to be moved about 50 metres west, to its current position between the castle and Bute Park’s West Lodge. During this relocation, the wall was extended, and six more animals were added in 1931: a pelican, an anteater, a pair of raccoons, a leopard, a beaver, and a vulture. These later figures were carved by Scottish sculptor Alexander Carrick. The change in sculptor is subtly visible: the original Nicholls animals have glass eyes, giving them a more lifelike, watchful expression, while Carrick’s additions do not. This blend of two sculptural styles adds to the wall’s character and historical layers.

The animals were originally painted in rich, vivid colours, a detail that has since faded but hints at the playful, almost theatrical spirit of Burges’s design. The wall’s charm lies in the animals’ expressive faces and poses – some alert, some sleepy, some seeming ready to leap down into the street. In the 1930s, the wall inspired a popular cartoon strip in the South Wales Echo, imagining the animals’ nightly adventures, which helped cement its place in local folklore. Over the decades, the wall has faced threats, including a 1970s proposal to demolish it for further road widening, but strong public affection ensured its preservation.

In 2010, as part of Bute Park’s major restoration, the Animal Wall underwent careful conservation. Craftsmen used traditional lime mortar to re-point the wall and replaced damaged stonework, including restoring the anteater’s nose, which had been broken off multiple times. The restoration respected the original materials and craftsmanship, ensuring the wall remains a well-preserved example of Victorian Gothic Revival sculpture. Today, it stands as a Grade I listed structure, a protected piece of Cardiff’s architectural and cultural heritage, admired by locals and visitors alike for its artistry and whimsy.

The Animal Wall is an easy, free-to-visit attraction that fits perfectly into a walk around Cardiff Castle and Bute Park. It’s especially popular with families, who enjoy spotting and naming each animal, from the watchful lions to the curious raccoons and the distinctive anteater (often affectionately called the ‘Aardvark’ in the local accent). The wall is best viewed from Castle Street, where the full row of animals can be seen against the backdrop of the castle and park. Whether you’re interested in Victorian architecture, sculpture, or simply a charming photo opportunity, the Animal Wall offers a delightful and accessible glimpse into Cardiff’s historic character.