Pretty Tree Lined Street In Cardiff : A History of Edwardian Kimberley Road with Harrismith, Mafeking, Ladysmith, Ilton and Amesbury Roads

Step into the richly layered story of a distinctive Edwardian Cardiff neighbourhood and discover the imprint of 300,000 years of human history before it was built.

Waldo Williams’ poem Cofio, asked us to ‘call to mind the things that are forgotten’ and this book invites readers to call to mind the neighbourhood’s remarkable history - from the earliest human presence to the moment the first residents stepped into their new homes. It tells how the land was shaped by prehistoric people, Romans, Welsh kings, Normans, lords of the manor and medieval farmers.

With a Roman villa and a possible Roman fort beneath Kimberley Road itself, every chapter brings surprises. It looks at the neighbourhood’s connection with the ancient Roath village and the growing town, and city, of Cardiff. It opens a window on to the lives of the wealthy landowners, the architects and builders who made the neighbourhood. It tells the stories of the first residents of the houses; who they were and how they lived in Edwardian Cardiff.

Lively and richly researched, this book is a compelling journey through time, making it irresistible for local residents, history lovers, and anyone fascinated by the hidden lives of cities.