The church of St John the baptist dates originally from the medieval paeriod, with written records first refering to it in a charter of c.1180. The site lies within an area of Cardiff known to have been occupied by the 13th century and with the medieval town walls, and the site of the churchyard appears to have contained houses until the later post-medieval period. John Woods Map of Cardiff shows the first reference to the cemetary, showing a large open area unseparated by the later pathways and records of the later 19th century make it apparent that the graveyard was under considerable pressure with the number of burials recorded very high. It retains early and mid 19th century gravestones, as well as a restored medieval cross comprising a tapering octagonal shaft supporting a weathered medieval crucifixion and saints.

At this date there was a re-ordering of the graveyard and a small hut or pavilion was built in the northwest corner of the site.This is built of wood, being timber framed with boarded panels, having a tiled gablet roof and a door on the south side.

The site is surrounded by a dwarf wall of rock-faced stone with moulded capstones, on top of which are wrought iron railings with leaf finials, a band of quatrefoils above a band of open trefoils and lower intermediate railings, with arrow finials. taller posts have fleur-de-lys finials, and on the corners are piers with wrought iron leaves and quatrefoils to the panels, and Gothic finials. the gates are in a matching style.

(Source; Cadw listing description, CgMs report 2004)