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Cardiff Bay
The old Cardiff docklands have been redeveloped in the last decade to create Cardiff Bay, home to a large freshwater lake for sailing and water sports; the stylish five-star St David’s Hotel and Spa, and Mermaid Quay – a restaurant hotspot with everything from Italian to Turkish cuisine.
Past
Cardiff's docklands have always played a major role in Cardiff's development. In the late 19th century coal from the Welsh valleys was transported through the docks to destinations across the world - powering the industrial age and powering Cardiff's development.
The coal industry helped fund buildings including
City Hall, the
Coal Exchange and the
New Theatre and helped the Third Marquess of Bute, who owned the docks, become the richest man in the world at the time.
As Cardiff exports grew, so did its population; dockworkers and sailors from across the world settled in neighbourhoods close to the docks, known as Tiger Bay, and communities from up to 45 different nationalities, including Norwegian, Somalian, Yemenese, Spanish, Italian, Caribbean and Irish, helped create the unique multi-cultural character of the area.
After the second world war the coal industry declined and the docklands fell into disuse, but in 1999 new life was given to the area with the construction of the
Cardiff Bay Barrage, which transformed an area of tidal mudflats into a 200 hectare freshwater lake and sparked the development of the surrounding area.
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Present
Regular free festivals and events, such as the Caribbean Carnival and the International Food and Drink Festival, take place throughout the year.
Cardiff Bay Walks
Visitors to Cardiff Bay can now walk to the barrage and across to Penarth Head, with the opening of the Cardiff Bay Barrage Coast Path from the Inner Harbour to the barrage. The new route provides a safe pedestrian and cycle route with direct access to and from the Inner Harbour, linking with the existing footway, cycle way and transport network through to the city and beyond.
As part of the Harbour Authority’s commitment to the project, the Coast Path will be open to match the Cardiff Bay Barrage opening hours, which at present means people can access the route until 8pm daily.
The long awaited final link runs from the Environment Building on the Penarth side of the Barrage to a new bridge crossing Roath Basin lock next to the Norwegian Church. This link forms part of a longer term project to create a coastal path to link Newport, Cardiff, Penarth and the Vale of Glamorgan by 2012. The aim by 2013 is also to provide links from the coastal path to the Ely, Taff and Rhymney trails and circular walks such as around Cardiff Bay & Lamby tip.
Other walks around Cardiff Bay include the Bay 'Church' Tour walk and the City to Bay Walk.
Photos: Above - Cardiff docks early 20th century. Below - Cardiff Bay 100 years on.
Flat Holm Island
Five miles from Cardiff, in the middle of the Bristol Channel, is Flat Holm Island - a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The island is home to a large gull population and other wildlife including slow worms and shelducks. Visitors can join day tours to the island during the summer, or stay on Flat Holm as part of a residential art, photography or wildlife course.
How to get to Cardiff Bay
It's so easy to get to Cardiff Bay by public transport so why not leave the car at home for a change? Traveline provides transport information on all bus and rail services in Wales on Tel. 0870 608 2 608 from 07h00 to 22h00 daily or visit www.traveline.org.uk
For a map of the Bay area click here to download the leaflet of the Waterfront Partners.
For a map of Cardiff's city centre and the Bay click here.
By train: Frequent rail services operate Monday to Saturdays with connections at Queen Street Station from the rest of the Valleys and Cardiff local routes network. For details call the National Rail Enquiries (24 hours) on 08457 48 49 50 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk
By bus: The 'baycar' bendy-bus service runs 7 days a week from the city centre. It runs every 10 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes during the evenings and at weekend. For more information visit www.cardiffbus.com
By boat: The waterbus runs a regular timetabled service between Mermaid Quay, Penarth (the Barrage) and the city centre every day, all year. For details of timetables and fares visit www.cardiffwaterbus.com or phone 07940 142 409.
By car: If you're coming from outside Cardiff it's easy to reach the Bay from the M4. Either leave at Junction 33 and follow the A4232 all the way to the Bay, or if you're coming from the east you can also leave at Junction 29, take the 3rd exit off the A48 and follow the signs to Cardiff Bay. Once you're there follow the signs to your nearest car park.
