[3] Cyncoed overlooks the city centre of Cardiff, near Roath Park, with views of the surrounding mountains.

In 1887 John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute offered 121 acres (49 ha) of marshland to Cardiff Council, for use as a public park.

In 1915 a lighthouse was constructed in the lake containing a scale model of the 'Terra Nova' ship to commemorate Captain Scott's ill-fated voyage to the Antarctic from Cardiff in 1910.

Post the war, in the 1950s this area was redeveloped as housing demand grew, and the rural nature of Cyncoed vanished forever, including the development of the Lakeside estate, centered on Celyn Avenue.

The company which owned this site, Western Power Distribution, intended to build houses on Llanishen Reservoir.

The reservoirs have recently been devolved back to the Welsh Water authority which, after draining and structural inspection, intends to return both to public amenity use.

Various courses are now taught on the Cyncoed campus of Cardiff Metropolitan University, but it is most famous for its physical education department which has produced various sportspeople from its students, including: Dai Davies; Lynn Davies; Gareth Edwards; Clive Griffiths; Greg Thomas; Steve Watkin.

Storytime for pre-school children followed by craft activities, and rhymetime for babies and toddlers are organised by the library.

It is bounded by Llanishen to the northwest; Lisvane to the north; Pentwyn to the east; Penylan and Plasnewydd to the south; and Heath to the west.

Some western parts of the area have access to Heath Low Level railway station, with services northbound to Coryton on the City Line.