Old Moaner Travel
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
Cardiff
Cardiff is one of those cities to have seen a major transformation in the last few decades. From, frankly, an uninspiring coal exporting port to a vibrant modern city with a lively night-life.
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Getting There
Cardiff is an easily accessible city. The airport is to the west of the city but to be honest doesn't live to its full potential and it has the capability to handle far more traffic than it does. It also doesn't help it's a right sod to get to. Road links are slow and busy. There is a railway station, a 10 minute shuttle away, however once at the station trains only arrive once an hour and two hourly on Sundays!!!!
Going by bus isn't much better with services "up to" every 20 minutes in the summer and every 30 minutes in the winter.
Ignoring the poor road access from the airport, the city is served by the M4 motorway with reasonable but busy link roads and a good rail service from London, every half hour with a journey time of two hours.
Attractions
Cardiff Castle, located in the city centre is, effectively, three castles in one with fortifications from the Roman, Norman and 19th century. There are also apartments to be visited as well as World War 2 shelters. Open daily, except Christmas and Boxing days from 09:00, closing is 17:00 or 18:00 depending on the time of year. Tickets for the castle are adult - £13, concessions - £11.30 and child - £9.25 with tours of the house an additional £3.35 / £2.85 / £2.35.
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It's said the transformation of the old docks in Cardiff is one of the best managed in the country and Cardiff Bay has certainly become a major attraction in the city. Everything from water buses, shopping, restaurants, museums and concert halls can be found in the area, which is busy by day and vibrant by night. Covering 2,700 acres it is also one of the largest dockland revivals. Many restored old buildings sit alongside modern developments with one of the most notable older buildings being the red brick Pierhead building, now a museum relating the history of Wales.
The old Norwegian Church is now an art centre and concert venue. Techniquest is a very hands on science and discovery centre.
Boat trips around the bay are available.
Dominating the Bay skyline is the impressive Wales Millennium Centre, home to no fewer than three theatres and eight Welsh national arts organisations. It has a stunning bronze frontage and even those of us who baulk at some of the extremes of modern architecture cannot fail to be impressed by the building.
Actually when it comes to the performing arts you will be spoilt in Cardiff, as if the Wales Millennium Centre wasn't being greedy enough there is also the Cardiff Indoor Arena (CIA) home to exhibitions and concerts in an arena which holds between 5000 - 7,500 spectators. There is also St David's Hall and the New Theatre plus dozens of smaller arts venues.
Returning briefly to Cardiff Bay, the Bay is also home to the Welsh Assembly building also known as the Senedd.
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The Civic Centre area is home to some magnificent buildings including City Hall, law courts and university. The oddly named National Museum of Cardiff is also located here housing some good archaeological, geological and natural history collections. Surprisingly it is also home to a very impressive art gallery with paintings by Picasso, Rodin and Monet amongst others. Open daily from 10:00 - 17:00, admission is free.
The Welsh love their rugby, almost to the point of obsession, and the Millennium Stadium is their spiritual home for the sport.
Getting tickets for games there is difficult because of the popularity but just being in Cardiff on the day of an international match will give you a feel for the passion and atmosphere and if the roof of the stadium is open the sound of 70,000 odd Welshmen singing their "national" anthem will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end - even if you are not Welsh. On non-event days stadium tours are available at a cost of £12.50 for adults, £10 concessions and £9 children.
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I'm not one to normally recommend shopping centres but Cardiff does have some very good city centre shopping centres, however for me the best areas to explore are the arcades.
There are a number of delightful Victorian arcades in the city centre and they are home to an eclectic mix of independent stores and cafés. Even if, like me, you hate shopping walking round the arcades is something else. Even if the quirky shops don't appeal then just sit outside one of the coffee shops and people watch.
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Moving slightly away from the city centre, Llandaff Cathedral is a stunning building and well worth a visit.
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Slightly further afield, four miles outside the city centre, is St Fagans National History Museum. It's an open air museum housing restored buildings from across Wales and it gives visitors the chance to see how people lived and worked before today’s modern society. It's interesting and thought provoking, certainly making you appreciate how lucky we are today.
Open daily from 10:00 - 17:00 and as a bonus admission is free. Many events and themed days are held throughout the year, most are free although some do have a charge.
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