Hotel near Insole Court | Things to do in Llandaff

Historic Mansion House in Llandaff, Cardiff

Mansion House Cardiff | Llandaff Cardiff Wales | Insole Court Review

Stay close to Insole Court by booking your stay at Future Inn Cardiff. Perfect for history enthusiasts, garden lovers, families, and groups, the hotel offers spacious bedrooms with large Canadian-style beds, free WiFi, and tea and coffee facilities. Kids stay free and under-fives eat free, making it an ideal choice for family trips.

Guests also benefit from free parking and electric car charging, making it simple to get to and from the venue. With Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay just a short distance away – plus our on-site Thomas Restaurant & Bar serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner – Future Inn Cardiff is the ultimate base for exploring Insole Court, enjoying its gardens, events, and exhibitions, or combining a visit with a weekend in Cardiff.

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Explore Insole Court

Explore the Grade II listed house and gardens in Llandaff with free entry.

Nestled in the leafy Cardiff suburb of Llandaff, Insole Court is a stunning Grade II* listed Victorian Gothic mansion, built in 1855 for wealthy businessman James Harvey Insole. After years of disrepair, the building was rescued by the Insole Court Trust with support from the Welsh Government and CADW, and extensive refurbishment has reopened its ground floor to the public. With free entry to the gardens and a wealth of activities and events, Insole Court has become one of Cardiff’s must-see attractions.

Insole Court History

The mansion’s interior tells the story of the Insole family across an entire century. On the first floor, the exhibition “This House is a Stage” brings local history to life, allowing visitors to explore the rooms in which the family lived and worked. Visitors can learn about the people behind the house, from their arrival in Cardiff in the 19th century through to modern times.

Exhibition Opening Times: 10:30 am – 4:00 pm daily (unless the mansion is closed for weddings)
Tickets: £5 for adults, £2.50 for under-16s and Insole Court Supporters

Explore the Gardens

The extensive Insole Court gardens offer a peaceful retreat for a stroll, a picnic, or some quiet reflection. The beautifully maintained grounds feature formal lawns, flower beds, and hidden corners to explore, making it perfect for families, photographers, and nature lovers alike.

Activities and Classes

Insole Court isn’t just a historic site – it’s a vibrant community hub. Daily classes and activities are held in the room hire facilities, including yoga, painting, and dancing. Visitors can also enjoy a range of one-off events, such as:

Monthly farmers markets
Community dog shows
Live concerts and performances
Film screenings
Heritage tours

Dining and Shopping

No visit to Insole Court is complete without a stop at The Potting Shed Café in the Stable Yard. Enjoy tea, coffee, and freshly baked cakes while overlooking the gardens.

The Gift Shop sells local products and a second-hand book store in the Reading Room, perfect for leisurely browsing.

Insole Court Cardiff Filming Location

Thanks to its stunning Victorian architecture and picturesque grounds, Insole Court is frequently used as a filming location. Many productions have captured the beauty of the mansion and gardens, making it a popular spot for TV, film, and photography projects.

Insole Court has been featured in Doctor Who, A Discovery of Witches, Decline & Fall, Death Valley, and The Trick.

Insole Court Opening Times

Gardens 7.45 am - 9 pm daily

Mansion 10 am - 4 pm daily (unless closed for a wedding)

Free Entry

Insole Court Address

Fairwater Road, Llandaff, Cardiff, South Wales, CF5 2LN.

Free Parking

Future Inn Cardiff to Insole Court

Future Inn Cardiff is a modern and comfortable hotel in the heart of Cardiff Bay, one of the city's most vibrant areas. The hotel is conveniently located near main access roads and public transportation, making it easy to explore the city. This well-appointed hotel offers a range of amenities, ensuring a pleasant and convenient stay. Alongside its excellent location, the hotel boasts spacious and airy bedrooms - all of which sleep up to four guests - that feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, a desk and workspace, and a laptop safe. Added comforts such as complimentary robes, tea and coffee-making facilities, and filtered water enhance the overall experience. Plus, home away from home services like the guest laundry room, ice buckets and wine glasses. There's also electric car charging and free parking, which are rare in such a central location.

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Future Club Rewards

For additional benefits, you can join the Future Inns hotel loyalty program. Alongside a member's discount rate, for every £1 you spend on accommodation, you earn 1 reward point. You also get a complimentary drink voucher to redeem in the bar when you dine. Plus, you get double points when you eat in the restaurant. Points collected can then be used to upgrade your bedroom to a suite or a free night's stay. It's also completely free to join!

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Getting to Insole Court

It's incredibly easy to get to Insole Court from Future Inns:

It is a 22-minute taxi ride from Future Inn Cardiff, and free parking if you'd like to drive.
Cardiff Bay train station is a 5-minute walk from the hotel and takes you to Cardiff Queen Street station. You'd need to change lines to Waun-Gron Park, followed by a 10-minute walk to Insole Court. The entire journey takes about 45 minutes.
Several buses go into the city centre from Lloyd George Avenue to Cardiff Bus Station. Or get the number 1 City Circle bus going towards Birchgrove from the Wales Millennium Centre, and get off at Bishops Walk, followed by a 7-minute walk to Insole Court. The whole journey is around 45 minutes.
Future Inn Cardiff is a cycle-friendly hotel. We allow guests to store bikes in their rooms, provided they use the supplied cycle mats. It takes 30 minutes to cycle down the Taff Trail to the Insole Court, where there are bike racks.

Welsh themed restaurant

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Thomas Restaurant is a vibrant dining venue in the heart of Cardiff Bay that offers a memorable culinary experience. Known for serving locally sourced produce, the menu showcases a delightful range of British and Welsh dishes, ensuring that diners can enjoy an authentic taste of the region. From hearty breakfasts to leisurely lunches and indulgent dinners, it is ideal for both hotel guests and locals alike.

Additionally, the restaurant features an inviting bar area, perfect for enjoying a drink. In the summer months, take advantage of the outdoor terrace. A large selection of drinks is also available, including popular local brands Brains beers, Penderyn whiskey and vodka, Benjamin Hall gins, and Cariad wines. Naturally, there's a good choice of soft drinks, including refreshing fruit juices, tea, coffee, and mocktails.

Room service is available 24 hours a day.

Reservations can be made on 02920 487111 or thomas@futureinns.co.uk, or online:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Insole Court dog friendly?

Yes! Dogs are welcome in the mansion, cafe and gardens at Insole Court as long as they’re kept on a lead.

Is Insole Court haunted?

Like many historic houses, Insole Court has its fair share of spooky tales and local rumours, though there are no official ghost tours. Visitors often say the gothic architecture and long history give it an atmospheric feel.

Is Insole Court a Registry Office?

The Registry Office is at the Glamorgan Archives. However, as this building is not suitable for ceremonies, weddings are conducted at Insole Court. Insole Court is also licensed to host weddings and civil ceremonies. Many couples choose the mansion’s stunning rooms and gardens for their big day.

When was Insole Court built?

The original house was built in 1855 and later expanded into the Victorian Gothic mansion you see today.

Who owns Insole Court Cardiff?

Insole Court is owned and managed by the Insole Court Trust, a registered charity that looks after the house and gardens for the community.

Who built Insole Court?

It was built for James Harvey Insole, a wealthy Cardiff coal magnate, whose family lived there for several generations.

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