Markets, Cardiff

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The Cardiff Market was built in 1891 and it was first known as Solomon’s Temple because it was built by Solomon Andrews.

I had too much expectation of the Cardiff Indoor Market but we felt disappointed at the end. There are a lot of stalls, selling various things, from food to souvenirs and from clothes to music.

At the ground floor we spent some time checking the fruit and other food stalls(fish, meat, vegetables, sweets) and we bought a tasty break for only £0.76! We also checked some old books and on our way out we stopped at the small souvenir stall where the friendly lady sells fridge magnets, mugs, tshirts and other touristic items all with the welsh dragon, we bought some fridge magnets for £2.

At the upper floor (pic 2) we checked the numerous second hand vinlys (lps, singles, picture discs) but most of the them were in bad condition and some good ones not in good prices.

We entered from St Mary’s street (pic 4) but you can also use the entrance at the other side (near St John church)

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Riverside 'Real Food' Market takes place every Sunday near the City Centre. Here you can buy healthy, generally organically produced, food of all descriptions.

The stallholders are all from the area near to South Wales. There are some from the English Borders and several from West and Mid-Wales.

Open for business 10am to 2pm every Sunday on Fitzhamon Embankment.

I don't know why they choose to put up their stalls on the narrowest bit of pavement. Maybe they will move nearer the main road one day...!?

Cardiff VT member M0BIUS helps run the Real Food market website.

What to buy: Great for fresh vegetables and apples, cheeses (including goat), pies, home-made chutneys, organic fresh bread, plants, herbs and spices...

There is also several local meat stalls, selling (amongst other things) interesting sausages and occasional 'kid pies' - baby goat not human!! Often nice vegetarian burgers are available too.

'Fairtrade' sometimes run a stall.

What to pay: Very reasonable for the quality. There are expensive delicacies and cheap bargains.

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Cardiff Market is a typical Olde English type of market, worth a visit as much for its architectural value as for its importance as a market. The many stalls, spread over two floors, sell almost everything you could wish to buy nd is particularly good on fresh produce. In addition to this there is a cafe upstairs with pretty red and white umbrellas and a view down over the heaving market stalls below.

What to buy: Come here to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, floury bread baps stuffed with freshly cut ham, handmade jewelry, fabrics of every colour and texture, second hand toys, antiques, food for your pets....hey, even some pets!

The stalls are all painted a clean white with the name stencilled overhead. Stall owners are helpful and proud - friendly almost to a man; but when I say almost I mean it. Se my warning tip in this regard.

Among new and old shopping arcades of the Cardiff city centre one place stands out, and that is the Central Market. Worth a look to see the elegant 19th Century iron and glass structure that encloses the big indoor hall.

What to buy: Inside, there is a wide range of products on offer - from fruits and vegetables, fish and cheese to carpets, cheap plastic stuff and mobile phones.

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Under cover of glass, the many stalls in the market sell almost everything from
cushions to cauliflower
pig's head to pomade
kitsch to keycutting

What to buy: nothing special unless you are into Welsh memorabilia

What to pay: as much as you like

Since 1998 local Welsh and organic food products are offered on the Riverside Real Food Market.
The market is perfect for a stroll and people watching. You get a good idea of fresh Welsh organic food from vegetables and fruits to cheese, pies and chutneys. It takes place every Sunday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Cardiff Indoor Market is an essential visitor experience. Here you can buy all your groceries - fruit, veg, bread, cheese, meat, sandwiches, sweets. And almost anything else - parakeets, tropical fish, records, wigs, umbrellas, toys, cloth, jewellery, microwaves ovens. Or you can get your hair cut, have a tatoo, have your fortune told, sit down to a hot meal then use the public toilets!!!

What to buy: See my Must See Activity on Cardiff Market

This wonderful little setup sells fresh local Welsh and Organic produce helping producers to sell direct to the public.

It's one of my favourite places to stock up on good healthy food from the Welsh country knowing that you're helping support the local farming industry of Wales.

There is some great stuff to buy here and if you can make it, why not come and buy some real Welsh produce...?

What to buy: There is plenty to buy here, though I have to say that my favourite so far is Buffalo Milk Ice cream from Mid Wales - deeeelicious! :-)

Otherwise there is plenty of organic fruit and vegetables, local organic lamb (including 'Glam Lamb' - lamb from Glamorgan!), beef, game and pork, cakes and biscuits, many types of bread including traditional French Bread of all types, wholemeal and rye breads and sourdoughs.
Hand made chutneys, jams and marmalades, local honey and other bee products.

Farmhouse, award winning cheeses, spicy pickles and country wines, Jersey raw cream and butter, Buffalo ice-cream. Herbs and outdoor bedding plants and perinnials.

Free range and organic eggs and chicken. Middle Eastern food, French pies, cakes and quiches, vegetarian burgers and sausages.
Hot Welsh cakes, fudge, hot samosas and hand-made soaps. Fair trade tea, coffee and fruit juice...

List adapted from the website - check links to the suppliers

(Buffalo Ice Cream - Mmmmmm!)