Why Cardiff is the Perfect Destination for Your Next Group Visit

24 October 2022

Why Cardiff is the Perfect Destination for your Next Group Visit

Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, is a great destination for a group visit. It offers a huge range of attractions, activities, top-class entertainment, and accommodation. The city centre is compact, easy to get around on foot with a transport interchange, coach parking and lots of drop off points for coaches.

Recently named the 6th best shopping destination in the UK, Cardiff offers quality shopping with a difference all year round.

Visit Cardiff have selected some of the must-see experiences for groups, preview some of the magical memories waiting to be made in Cardiff. It is recommended that you make a group booking in advance of your visit.

1. Marvel 2000 years of history at Cardiff Castle

Situated in the heart of Wales’ capital city, a stone’s throw from both vibrant shopping districts and spacious parklands, Cardiff Castle is an ideal destination for groups. In this extraordinary setting, the formidable walls encompass almost 2000 years of history. In just one glance visitors can see a reconstructed Roman fort, an impressive Norman castle, and an extraordinary Victorian Gothic mansion. Groups can benefit from discounted admission rates, free visit for a group leader or coach driver, specialist tours and group talks and an audio guide available in 10 languages.

2. Tour the breath-taking Principality Stadium

Experience the inner workings of the 74,000-seater stadium and see where the Welsh Rugby Team battle against opponents from across the globe. Featuring a fully retractable roof, it’s one of the largest indoor arenas in the world and one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. It can be visited on a tour with an experienced tour guide that leaves you with a keen sense of the huge scale and national standing of this most impressive site. Tours are currently limited to 20 persons per tour; however, larger, private groups can be arranged by contacting the Tour Manager.

3. Explore the National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans

Wales’s most-visited heritage attraction standing in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle, located on the outskirts of Cardiff. St Fagans National Museum of History is one of world’s leading open–air museums and Wales’ most-visited heritage attraction. Why not enhance your visit to the Museum by booking one of our Meet the Curator talks for your group? Learn about the fascinating history of St Fagans National Museum of History and the exciting new developments yet to come.

National Museum Cardiff is situated in the heart of Cardiff’s elegant civic centre and houses world class art and natural history, including Wales’s national art, natural history and geology collections, as well as major touring and temporary exhibitions.

4. Spend a Leisurely Afternoon in Bute Park

Behind Cardiff Castle just a short walk from the city’s main high streets and civic centre, Bute Park is the green heart of the city. Take your group on a relaxing stroll and explore a superb tree collection, natural play features, a visitor centre, three cafes, and a wealth of horticulture and wildlife.

Bute Park is a Green Flag site and a CADW Grade 1 listed park.

5. Catch a Water Taxi to Cardiff Bay

Local family business Cardiff Boat Tours operates Princess Katharine a water taxi licensed to carry up to 90 passengers. Princess Katharine offers the perfect opportunity for visitors to experience the history and sights of the City and Bay whilst travelling between the two. We have a recorded commentary, which gives fascinating information about the history of the area, buildings along the route, the barrage and the wildlife on the Bay and river.

6. Browse the Shoppers Paradise

Cardiff is a capital for shopping, and with a combination of designer brands, high street names as well as more individual and independent shops, there’s something for everyone. Recently named the 6th best shopping destination in the UK, Cardiff has the whole spectrum of shopping, with charming Edwardian and Victorian arcades and ultra-modern shopping centres. And when you’ve had your fill of retail therapy, there are plenty of cafés, restaurants, and bars to stop and relax in. Start your journey with the spectacular St David’s Shopping Centre, one of the UK’s newest, brightest and largest indoor malls, the Queens Arcade, or one of Cardiff’s older arcades such as the Royal, Castle, High Street or Morgan.

7. Enjoy Exhilarating White Water Rafting at CIWW

Cardiff International White Water (CIWW) is an on-demand adventure facility in the heart of the International Sports Village. A centre of excellence for training, the venue also provides expertly run courses, from the Paddle School to Duke of Edinburgh Awards. CIWW has so many amazing activities on offer that whatever water sport you’re looking for, they’re bound to have it covered! The White Water Rafting activity is suitable groups. We can hold a maximum of 6 people* in a raft however if your group is larger than 6, you can go ahead and book multiple rafts or spaces on a raft.

8. Enjoying a festive night out with your group

Cardiff is a haven for foodies – why not try a Christmas feast with a Sri-Lankan Twist at The Coconut Tree? Go traditional with all the trimmings at the Pontcanna Inn, or try champions of local Welsh produce, Daffodil’s range of quality dishes, maybe paired with a wine from their comprehensive list – it is Christmas, after all.

9. Experiencing a traditional Panto or marvelling at the magic of ballet.

“Oh yes it is” a Christmas tradition and Panto’s don’t come much more classic than Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at the historic New Theatre. On the subject of classics, St David’s Hall will host performances of Swan Lake, Copéllia, and the Nutcracker…but if you want to break with tradition, do it in style with a show at Cardiff’s iconic Wales Millennium Centre where ‘Les Misérables,’ one of the world’s most popular musicals, is being brilliantly restaged for the 21st century.

10. Doubling the fun with an overnight stay.

There’s too much on offer for just one day in Cardiff this Christmas, so why not make a night of it and enjoy an overnight stay in one the capital’s hotels?

For more information on Christmas in Cardiff, visit: visitcardiff.com/christmas

For more information or experiencing Cardiff as a group, head to visitcardiff.com/groups for leisure visits, and meetcardiff.com/groups for corporate stays.