The name Belle Vue originates from Belle Vue Cottage, actually a large farmhouse, that was demolished prior to the building of the old Penarth Urban District Council Offices in the early 1880s.

The Council decided that the land opposite their offices, which originally contained a quarry so deep that after heavy rain in 1877 two brothers were drowned in it, would be ideal for a bowling green and gardens, and in 1912 it was acquired from the Earl of Plymouth. The gardens were finally opened in September 1914 and developed as a sloping park and a bowling green.

The green was opened in 1922 but was dogged with problems during its early years as the surface condition failed to meet the required standards. Vandalism was also a problem in the gardens from the 1920s onwards. A children's play area was constructed in the late 1940s.

Recent years have seen a remarkable renaissance in the park as a result of the community group, the Friends of Belle Vue Park. The Friends have worked with enthusiasm to keep the standards of the Park high, working in close collaboration with the Vale of Glamorgan Council's Parks Division. The Penarth Society also made important contributions to this work.

Improvements made in the last few years include refurbished benches, new gates and dog-proof fencing, new signage, new path surfaces, additional tree and shrub planting, the installation of new artworks, and a completely refurbished play area. These have now completely transformed the feel of the park and have turned it into a well-used and much-loved local asset.

Not only did the Friends group provide the inspiration for these changes, but it also raised most of the funding for these exciting new developments. The revitalised park is now the venue for a varied and stimulating programme of events organised by the Friends group, and has become a focus for the local community.

This work has resulted in Belle Vue receiving the prestigious Green Flag Award over several successive years.