In 1897 Alfred Sisley spent a summer in Penarth, painting the cliffs, the Bristol Channel and the ships in the Roads — the only Welsh paintings by a leading Impressionist. Where he lived, what he wrote in his letters, his Cardiff wedding, and how to walk his views today.
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A Penarth to Lavernock walk along the Wales Coast Path: the Penarth Clifftop Walk, sea views towards Flat Holm and Steep Holm, Jurassic cliffs and a Welsh dinosaur, Lavernock Battery, a tiny church, and the spot where Marconi's first radio message crossed open water in 1897.
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Thirteen of my favourite places to sketch in Penarth, with sea views, parks, local streets, practical places to sit, and nearby shelter from the rain.
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A walk from Alexandra Park and the cliff top down to Penarth Pier and along Penarth Esplanade towards Italian Gardens, with the Pavilion, beach, swimmers, Waverley paddle steamer, local history, cafes and sketchbook notes.
Read moreA sketchbook walk through Italian Gardens in Penarth, with sea views, palms, flowers, coffee on rainy days, and drawings from a small garden by the Bristol Channel.
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For a long time, my flat in Penarth had a few windows facing east, towards the channel. I could see a slice of esplanade, a black line of railings, and the long grey shape of Penarth Pier walking out into the Bristol Channel. I painted that view a lot for 3 years. Mostly sitting inside and looking out. Sometimes from the beach, looking up at the pier. Once even from Alexandra Park, but I couldn’t see the pier itself from there, only a small piece of sea.
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