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The Cardiff Bay area used to be a neglected slum, covered with smelly mudflats. Then, a tidal barrage was built, taking advantage of some of the highest tidal ranges in the world (up to 14 12 metres), and the mudflats were turned into a freshwater lake.
Over the last few years, the bay area has been redeveloped into a stunning commercial area, with a lovely water side development filled with restaurants, cafes and shops. It is a really nice place to take a walk or enjoy a leisurely meal.
Each Sunday, during the warmer months, there are street entertainers and shows around the bay. We visited on the August Bank Holiday weekend, and there was a small festival.
From the bay wharfs you can take a boat ride around the harbour and down the coast a bit, or just out to have a close up look at the tidal barrage. Leave a Comment Address: Cardiff Bay, Butetown, Cardiff, CF10Directions: Walk, drive or catch a bus from Cardiff CentreWebsite: http://www.cardiffbay.co.uk
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Located amid the shopping malls in the centre of Cardiff is St John's Church. A church has stood on this site since at least 1180, with the current one dating back to the 15th Century. After the castle, it is Cardiff's second oldest building.
The church has a tall tower which the locals describe as a 'gem of medieval architecture'. It contains 10 bells which are rung on Sundays and on special occasions. The inside is a peaceful retreat from the hectic shoppers, with its elegant arched interior. When we visited we were the only ones in there!
The best part of a visit here though is hidden in the church's Vestry. From Wednesday to Saturday each week it is home to a delightful tea room, run by volunteers. Here you can relax and enjoy tasty looking home-made cakes and sandwiches, along with some light meals and hot and cold drinks. Leave a Comment
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Located just northwest of the city centre is the green oasis of Bute Park. This vast area of landscaped flower gardens, lawns and recreation grounds was once a part of the grounds of Cardiff Castle.
The park straddles the River Taff, with footbridges crossing over it. It was landscaped in the 1870s and donated to the city in 1947. It is a lovely place to take a stroll or relax for a while.
Close to one of the main park entrances, just off Castle Road, there is a stone circle, which was erected in 1899. It's not Stone Henge, but worth a look all the same.
There is a wall that runs along the Castle Road side of the park which has sculptured animals sitting on top of it. This 'Animal Wall' became quite famous in the 1930's apparently, when a newspaper cartoon strip brought the animals to life. Leave a Comment
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 Part of the stadium (not the
best photo!) by sue_stone, 2 more photos
The stadium has the first retractable roof in the UK, making it a multi-purpose venue that can be used all year round. The stadium turf is ingeniously grown on hundreds of palettes, which can be removed for big concerts.
It is currently home to such prestigious events as the FA Cup final and the British Speedway Grand Prix, and major music acts also perform here. You can take a tour of the stadium for a close up look from the players side of things - the change rooms and players tunnel for example, and also take a seat in the Royal Box to see how the other half watch their sport. Leave a Comment Address: Westgate Street, CardiffPhone: 0870 013 8600Directions: Cardiff City Centre by the River TaffWebsite: http://www.millenniumstadium.com Other Contact: info@cardiff-stadium.co.uk
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Cardiff Bay is home to the Welsh National Assembly, and in a prime position on the bay is the stunning new assembly building, The Senedd. Opened on the 1st of March 2006, this landmark building has been constructed based on 'green' principals, and its renewable energy systems will hopefully mean that running costs are reduced by up to half of what they would be in a similar sized building.
The Senedd has been constructed using slate, glass, timber & steel, and has a huge wooden 'chimney' in the middle which is used to ventilate the inner space.
You can have a look over the circular Debating Chamber from the public gallery and see the big wigs in action, or maybe just relax for a while in the café and enjoy the impressive architecture around you. Leave a Comment
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Cardiff Castle is located in the heart of the city, next to Bute Park and close to the main shopping drag. It is enclosed by a tall wall, making entry into the grounds an exciting experience.
Buy your ticket at the street front shop/ticket office, deciding if you just want access to the grounds (£3.50 - Aug 06) or access to all areas, as part of a tour (£6.95 - Aug 06). Then you enter through the castle gate and you are in the large, grassy inner courtyard.
This lovely courtyard area is quite unique, with its green lawns, shady chairs and tables for picnics, and best of all, its resident peacocks!! The birds just wander about, posing for the occasional photo and calling out to their friends across the yard. There were some cute baby peacocks too.
The castle itself is made up of several sections - I particularly liked the cute Norman Keep, which sits on a little hill, and the interesting clock tower. Under the main house of the castle is a tea room which is housed in the oldest part of a castle. We didn't eat here, but it is well worth a look. There are also a couple of museums in the grounds (which you can visit without having the full priced ticket).
Oh, and they don't take the grounds tickets from you, so you can always wander in later the same day if you want a second look....not sure if you are actually supposed to, but we did ; ) Leave a Comment Address: Castle Street, Cardiff CF10 3RBPhone: 029 2087 8100Directions: Next to the Civic Centre and Shopping ArcadesWebsite: http://www.cardiffcastle.com/ Other Contact: cardiffcastle@cardiff.gov.uk
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One of the stunning buildings in the Cardiff Bay development is the Wales Millennium Centre. The centre is home to several of Wales' major cultural organisations, including the Welsh National Opera, and houses concerts, opera and theatre performances.
Building commenced in 2001 and was finished in 2003. Stone was used from Northern Wales for the walls, and sheets of glass were fused together and constructed like glass veins between the stone.
The building really is impressive, with its massive shell-like roof and its slate, glass and steel construction. The inside of the building is also beautifully designed, with wood panelled features and curved walls. There are a couple of cafes and bars, and clean (and free) toilets. You can take a browse in the gift shop as well. Leave a Comment
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I could write three or four tips on St Fagans' Museum of Welsh Life but I will save you from this, and write one big one at the moment!
LIKE ALL MUSEUMS IT IS FREE!!
The 'museum' is in fact an exciting parkland of 100 acres - the grounds of St Fagan's Castle. What makes it so amazing is the large number of real Welsh traditional buildings that have been re-located to this park. They come from all parts of Wales and all types of landscape - huge stone farmhouses, small whitewashed cottages, terraced houses, shops, chapel, a school, a full-size Miners' Institute and a C13th church. And the modern 'House of the Future', designed by London architects to show how an energy-efficient house can be built in Britain for a reasonable price.
Also see St Fagan's Castle next door, which is in fact a large C16th manor house with gardens.
What makes the museum even more special is the way the buildings are brought to life. You can buy things from the shops (including a working bakery). There are animals in the fields, washing on the clothes lines and, on cold days, fires burning in the hearths. Bi-lingual (i.e. English and Welsh) members of staff can be easily found to answer questions. There is a big shop, restaurant and visitor centre.
I find that winter days are better because of the roaring log- and coal-fires and smoke rising from the chimneys. Buy some welshcakes or 'bara brith' from the bakery. Highly recommended to visit are the Rhyd-y-car row of steelworkers' cottages, furnished in different periods from 1800 to 1980.
Check the website for opening times and special events. Leave a Comment Address: St. Fagans, Cardiff, CF5 6XBPhone: +44 (0)29 2057 3500Directions: St Fagans village, 4 miles west of Cardiff. There are buses from Cardiff Bus Station. By car follow signs for Fairwater and/or St Fagans.Website: http://www.nmgw.ac.uk/mwl/
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 cardiff central market by aaaarrgh
The vast indoor space which forms the market, is also a useful and colourful
route from St Mary's Street to The Hayes. The current building opened in 1891. There is a very good display of information and pictures on the balcony about the history of the Market. Cardiff has had a covered market close to this spot since the 14th century!
You can get your local delicacies here. Buy some laverbread (Welsh seaweed) at the big fish stall near the East entrance. Or get some Clark's meat pies from Market Deli, at the St Mary Street end.
Open from approx. 8 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Saturday. Stalls often begin to close down about 4.30pm. A large bell on the balcony is rung at 5pm. Leave a Comment Address: St Mary Street/High Street/Trinity StreetDirections: Two main entrances, on St Mary Street and also Trinity Street near to St John's Church.
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If you visit Cardiff for one day, then Cardiff Castle is a must. It is right in the heart of this busy city, so very easy to find! It was a home of the Marquises of Bute, who more or less ruled Cardiff throughout the second half of the C19th with the millions they earned from coal exports.
The 'new' wing (with its fantasy towers and turrets) was designed by architect William Burges for the Third Marquis. Building began in the 1860's. It shows the fashion for looking back to early European Gothic architecture (think of the British Houses of Parliament for example). The interiors are painted beautifully with illustrations of wildlife, plants, myths and legends. Rumours are that Burges designed with the help of Victorian 'recreational' drugs!!
To make your visit complete, the foundations of much of the 'new' Castle are built on Roman walls. From Castle Street you can clearly see the different wall materials. There is also a 12th century 'motte & bailey' fort in the heart of the Castle grounds. This was the original heart of the castle, with a great hall, where the lord retreated at times of war. In 1404 the famous Welsh prince Owain Glyndwr captured this castle!!
There are peacocks strutting their stuff in the grounds, an exotic dinner for the lord - my next door neighbour used to look after the castle's birds!
For entrance admission to the fantasy Castle with guided tour, is currently about 7.50 GBP (with reductions for students and the elderly). No photography allowed on the tour!
Only 3.75 GBP (2007) for entry to the grounds (great views from the fort). Leave a Comment Address: Castle Street, CardiffPhone: +44 (0)29 20 878100Directions: In the heart of Cardiff, junction of North Road and Queen Street. Entrance on Castle Street/Duke Street.Website: http://www.cardiffcastle.com/
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