Attractions in Cardiff
Cardiff Castle, Castle Street
Cardiff may only have been a city for 100 years, but there has been a castle here for nearly 2000 years. Tours of the castle interior take place throughout the day, or visitors can just enjoy a stroll around the picturesque Castle gardens. (Full tour: Adult £6.90, Children £4.30)
Two wealthy Welsh sisters bequeathed their large art collection to the museum and gallery in the mid 20th century, resulting in Cardiff owning one of the largest collections of Impressionist paintings outside of Paris, with works by Renoir, Monet and Cezanne on display. (free entry, closed Mondays)
Millennium Stadium, Westgate Street
029 2082 2228, www.millenniumstadium.com
When the stadium isn’t hosting major sports matches or concerts you can take a tour of the 74,000 seater stadium. Walk down the players' tunnel, try out the Queen’s seat in the Royal box and discover how they removed the curse from the away-team changing rooms. (Adults £5.50, children £3, book in advance)
08700 40 2000, www.wmc.org.uk
Dominating the skyline in cardiff bay, the Wales Millennium Centre is home to seven major arts organizations, including the Welsh National Opera and Diversions Dance Company. The centre presents international opera, ballet, modern dance and musicals, all with prices to please arts novices as well as arts lovers. ‘Arts Sherpas’ also run tours around the front and backstage areas and if you’re lucky you may even catch a glimpse of a rehearsal. (Tours take about one hour and run throughout the day. Book in advance, Adults £5, Concessions £3. Show tickets £5-£35)
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 swanky five star St David’s hotel and spa, and Mermaid Quay – a restaurant hotspot with everything from Italian to Turkish cuisine.
Enter a world of science and technology at Cardiff Bay’s Techniquest, which is sure to delight children of all ages. Fancy firing a rocket, launching a hot air balloon or racing an electric car? There are over 160 hands-on exhibits with puzzles and activities to entertain the whole family. There are also shows in the Science Theatre and tours of the Universe in the Planetarium. Visitors can also conduct their own experiments in the Laboratory and Discovery Room. Entry Adult £6.90, Children £4.80.
The Norwegian church was first established in cardiff bay to serve the large community of Norwegian sailors working in the docks. Its main claim to fame is as the church where author Roald Dahl was christened – today, however, it has been converted into a café and art gallery.
The Senedd/ Pierhead Building, Cardiff Bay, www.wales.gov.uk
The Welsh Assembly Government’s new debating chamber, The Senedd, was opened by the Queen on St David's Day 2006. Visitors can explore the building, have coffee and cakes in the café or watch Assembly debates from the public viewing gallery. Next door to the Senedd is the historic Pierhead Building, which contains an interactive exhibition on the role of the National Assembly. (free entry)
City Sightseeing Tours, Cardiff, www.citysightseeing.co.uk
Take a tour around the City Centre and the Bay. The Bus has eleven stops including Cardiff Castle, Civic Centre, cardiff bay and Millennium Stadium, and allows you to 'hop on and hop off'. Pick up outside Cardiff Castle. Tel: 01443 404477. Adults £7.50 - Children (5-15) £3, OAP/Student £5.50, Family £18.
Llandaff Cathedral
The Cathedral is situated close to the bank of the river Taff, in the ancient "City of Llandaff", and despite being surrounded on all sides by the bustling city of Cardiff, the Llandaff conservation area remains unspoilt and peaceful. Wheelchair access is provided at the east and west ends of the cathedral, and car parking is free and unrestricted.
St. Fagans National History Museum, www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans/
Wales's most popular heritage attraction. See Wales in a day at one of Europe's biggest and most exciting open-air museums. The 100-acre parkland has over forty original buildings, moved from various parts of Wales and re-erected to show how the people of Wales lived at various times in history. Open from 10am - 5pm daily and open Bank Holiday Mondays. Tel: 029 2057 3500.
Castell Coch
A fairytale castle nestling in the woods on the outskirts of the city. Its round towers and red turrets are reminiscent of those picture book castles along the banks of the Rhine. Like Cardiff Castle this Gothic fantasy was created by the brilliant eccentric architect William Burgess for the third Marquis of Bute, a fellow lover of the medieval and reputedly the richest man in the world in his day.
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