05 Aug Cardiff, South-East Wales
Welcome to South-East Wales
Cardiff the capital of Wales is the biggest city in Wales, with lots of history, fun pubs, bars, eateries, museums, and relaxing parks! The most convenient way to explore Cardiff comfortably is on the Toot Bus, a Hop-On Hop-Off bus with 14 stops along the route.
Places of Interest
The medieval castle Cardiff Castle is home to the National College of Music and Drama and is close to the Cardiff town centre. The castle itself is a ruin but still worth exploring the inside to experience the air raid shelters with its sound effects.
- Entrance cost: Entry ticket required
Opened in June 1999, the Millennium Stadium boasts the first fully-retractable roof in the UK. It has hosted matches from two Rugby World Cups and hosts significant music artists, concerts and motorsports events.
In 2016, due to sponsorship reasons, the Millennium Stadium was re-named as the Principality Stadium, one of the world’s most famous stadiums. It is home to the Welsh rugby union, and several national football team matches have been played here.
The closest train station to the Stadium is Cardiff Central while Cardiff Queen Street Station is approximately a 10 to 15-minute walk to the east of the Stadium.
The National History Museum Cardiff represents world-class art and natural history of over five hundred years, with galleries that house animals, birds and insects from Wales and beyond.
These incredible 3.6-kilometres walk around Cardiff allow you to experience some of this city’s best attractions.
Cardiff’s Centenary Walk takes in some of the city’s most celebrated historical landmarks and well-kept secrets. The self-guided walk starts outside the Cardiff Museum at the Old Library in The Hayes and takes you on a stroll around the central area. The walk takes in all the main sights in the city centre.
Beautiful Bute Park, also known as the ‘green heart of the city’, is a short walk from the city’s main centre, behind Cardiff Castle. This extraordinary place provides a habitat for wildlife and an arboretum with a significant tree collection.
Bute Street is a street in Cardiff that links Cardiff Bay (previously Tiger Bay) and Butetown with Cardiff city centre and has no road number. It runs from the dockside of the Mermaid Quay complex in the south, which is now a pedestrian zone, to the junction of Bute Terrace in the north.
Cardiff Bay is a dockland area with a massive freshwater lake in Cardiff and is the mouth of the River Taff and Ely. It has many attractions such as Techniquest Science Discovery Centre, The Welsh Assembly at the Pierhead, Bute Park, the Arts Centre and the Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre.
The Wales Millennium Centre is a great art centre in the Cardiff Bay area hosting opera, ballet, contemporary dance, theatre comedy, pop stars, and musical performances. You can book tickets for various performances online.
Across the road from Bute Park is the Millennium Walk. The wooden walkway above the River Taff is a popular route by walkers and serves as the main route between Central Station and the Millennium Stadium. It features a series of mosaics representing countries that competed at the 1999 Rugby World Cup, which Wales hosted.
For fans of Roald Dahl, the Norwegian Church Arts Centre is known for Cardiff’s most famous writer, who was born in the area to Norwegian parents. It is a landmark in Cardiff Bay, boasting panoramic views over the waterfront. The Church was built-in 1868, providing a base for Norwegian seafarers when Cardiff Docks were the world’s most significant coal exporter.
Techniquest, which started in Cardiff in 1986, offers interactive experiences accessible to everyone. Its mission is to embed science in the Welsh culture through interactive engagement. They provide services such as creating programmes and exhibits for schools and teachers to complement formal education provision in Wales.
Mermaid Quay is a stunning waterfront location in the heart of Cardiff Bay. It opened in 1999 with distinctive architecture inspired by its maritime location and rich heritage – featuring decking, towers, balconies, terraces, colonnades and bridges.
Mermaid Quay has something for every taste, mood and budget; perfect for dining out or catching up with friends for a drink in one of the many cafes, restaurants and bars.
For the latest programme and news about Mermaid Quay, follow the latest on what’s on!
Shopping in Cardiff
Queen Street
Queen Street is Cardiff’s main pedestrianised shopping street which runs from the Capitol Shopping Centre on the east side to historic Cardiff Castle on the west side.
Walk around the Cardiff Central Market, queen’s Arcades or Saint David’s Mall, which has an abundance of stores ranging from independent boutiques to well-known brands.
Cardiff Market (also known as Cardiff Central Market is a Victorian indoor market in the Castle Quarter of Cardiff city centre. All under one glass room, the market offers a unique shopping experience with products ranging from books to fresh produce, rock and roll memorabilia and pots and pans. And you must try the Welsh cakes from the Cardiff Bakestones. They have been making Welsh Cakes for 20 years!
With its warm local charm and uniqueness, the Cardiff market has been trading since the 1700s. There are two entrances; one from St. Mary Street, with the other entrance at Trinity Street, near St. John’s Church.
Where To Stay
We stayed at the Cardiff Marriott Hotel, situated in the city’s heart, within walking distance of Cardiff Castle. With recently refurbished guest rooms and suites, it is the perfect hotel to base yourself in Cardiff.
We recommend using Booking.com for other accommodation options.
Where To Eat
Cardiff has an abundance of restaurants, cafes and bars to suit all tastes hidden in this capital city’s side streets and main roads. Take a look and be inspired.
Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.