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Green Cardiff

Cardiff has more urban green spaces than any other UK city; it is the world’s first FairTrade capital city, and boasts one of Britain’s most eco-friendly buildings. Here’s our guide to ‘green Cardiff’.

Bute Park
Take a stroll through the arboretum or ornamental gardens in Bute Park and you’ll quickly forget that you’re still only a couple of minutes away from the city centre. The park was once part of the castle grounds, but was donated to the people of Cardiff by the Marquess of Bute. The River Taff also flows through the park, so keep an eye out for wildlife including herons, mallards, trout and salmon along the Taff trail.

Find out more about the Cardiff countryside here

Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve

Walk along the boardwalk of the wetlands reserve to see waders and water birds such as herons, coots, and cormorants. The protected area of mudflats and reed beds can be found between the St David’s Hotel and the mouth of the river Taff.

Flatholm Island

Five miles from Cardiff, in the middle of the Bristol Channel, is Flatholm 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 Flatholm as part of a residential art, photography or wildlife course.

Taff Trail

The Taff Trail begins in Cardiff Bay and follows the River Taff through the Welsh valleys and the Brecon Beacons National Park for 55 miles, ending in the market town of Brecon. Smaller sections of the walk make ideal day hikes or bike rides, and during the summer the ‘Beacon Bike Bus’ (www.breconbeacons.org) can take you and your bike from Cardiff to Brecon. Cycle hire is available from the Cardiff Caravan Park in Pontcanna Fields (02920 398362) www.tafftrail.org.uk

FairTrade capital city

In March 2004 Cardiff was designated as the world’s first FairTrade Capital City in recognition of its support for the scheme. FairTrade products can now be found in the majority of cafes in the city as well as numerous stores and restaurants. Try Ozone in Charles Street, Muldoons in the Brewery Quarter, or The Plan in Morgan Arcade for FairTrade and organic food and drink. For FairTrade gifts head to Shared Earth in Royal Arcade, and for the latest FairTrade and organic fashions, visit Oyster in Castle Arcade.

The Senedd

The new debating chamber for the Welsh Assembly Government opened in March 2006. The building is one of the most eco-friendly buildings in the country with features including a wind cowl, which provides natural ventilation by drawing warm air out of the building; an earth heat exchanger system which utilises geothermal energy to heat and cool the building, and rain water harvesting for flushing toilets and window washing. Visitors can join tours of the building and view Assembly debates from the public viewing chamber. The Senedd cafe also serves FairTrade drinks and snacks.

Farmers’ Markets

For locally produced, organic and FairTrade food and products, visit the weekly Riverside Real Food Market, held on the Taff embankment opposite the Millennium Stadium every Sunday between 10am and 2pm. Alternatively, the Vale of Glamorgan Farmer’s Market takes place in the grounds of the National History Museum at St Fagans on the second Sunday of every month between 10am and 1pm.

Green Dragon standard

Eco-friendly visitor attractions and accommodation in Wales can be identified through the Green Dragon scheme. www.greendragonems.com. Certification is only awarded to environmentally friendly businesses. Green Dragon organisations in Cardiff include the National Museum, the Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff Bus, and the eco-friendly Jolyon’s Boutique Hotel in Cardiff Bay.

Wildlife sightings

For information on recent wildlife sightings, events and conservation projects, head to the biodiversity section of Cardiff Council's website.

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