Wales Tourist Guide - Articles
Cardiff Attractions
Cardiff attractions provide interest and entertainment all year round:
Cardiff Castle
Bute Park
029 2087 8100
Museum of the Royal Regiment of Wales
029 2022 9367
Regal peacocks roam the grounds of three castles rolled into one. The original Roman walls run around the Norman keep, standing guard over the whole site. The castle, restored by the Marquess of Bute in the 19th century, is the main attraction with it’s decadently decorated rooms and clock tower. There is also the Museum of the Royal Regiment of Wales on site and themed Welsh banquets in the evenings.
www.cardiffcastle.com
Castell Coch
Tongwynlais
029 2081 0101
The rounded towers of the ‘fairytale castle’ peep through the trees north of Cardiff. As with Cardiff Castle, its design was the brainchild of Bute and Burgess. The drawing room is adorned with murals inspired by Aesop’s Fables and the Sleeping Beauty Bedroom created for Lady Bute adds to the splendour. Some medieval rooms have been opened to the public, allowing visitors a glimpse of what life was like in the 13th century castle that was originally situated at this location.
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
City Hall
Cathays Park
029 2087 1736
City Hall forms the centerpiece of Cardiff’s Civic Centre. Its domed neo-classical structure encloses a stately Marble Hall which houses statues celebrating the heroes of Wales. During normal office hours, and when not in use, the function rooms are open to the public. It is advisable to call before visiting.
Craft in the Bay
Cardiff Bay
029 2048 4611
This is the artistic centre of Cardiff Bay. Here you will find some amazing exhibitions of arts and crafts, plus classes in which you can take part.
www.makersguildinwales.org.uk
Llandaff Cathedral
The Green, Llandafff
029 2056 4554
The cathedral is tucked away on the outskirts of Cardiff but its spire can be seen across the city. First constructed in the 6th century, the cathedral was finally restored in the 1960s after suffering bomb damage from the blitz in 1941. The focal point of the cathedral is Jacob Epstein’s sculpture Christ in Majesty, which hangs over the congregation.
www.llandaffcathedral.org.uk
Millennium Stadium
Westgate Street
029 2082 2228
The Millennium Stadium, which hosted the Rugby World Cup in 1999, runs regular tours. The site of several FA Cup Finals (the final has now returned to Wembley) as well as many other significant sporting events; you can walk down the players’ tunnel, have a nose around the changing rooms, recline in the Royal Box or sit in the highest seats for a spectacular view.
www.milleniumstadium.com
St Fagans Natural History Museum
St Fagans
029 2057 3500
Step back in time in this outdoor history museum set in 100 acres of woodland. More than 30 original Welsh cottages, farmhouses, a shop, school, tollgate and chapel have been reconstructed here offering an insight into Welsh life over the centuries.
St Fagans Castle occupies the same grounds, with formal gardens just made for anyone who enjoys a stroll.
www.museumwales.ac.uk
National Museum Cardiff
Cathays Park
029 2039 7951
Housed in one of the Civic Centre's neo-classical buildings, the collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art forms the centrepiece of the Museum's attractions. The permanent exhibition of the evolution of Wales retraces its geological origins and events programmes have something for everyone, children included.
www.museumwakes.ac.uk
Norwegian Church Arts Centre
Inner Harbour - Cardiff Bay
029 2045 4899
The white-painted traditional wooden church is one of the most distinctive buildings in the Bay. Originally built in 1867 as a place of worship for visiting seamen it was reconstruted here by a trust set up under the guidance of Roald Dahl, who was baptised there.
Roath Park
Roath
A large park popular with strollers, joggers and rowers alike. The lake is home to a variety of waterfowl and its lighthouse is a monument to Captain Scott who set sail for the Antarctic from Cardiff.
St John the Baptist Church
St John's Street
In the city centre since 1473, the church was restored in 1897. Inside is a musician's gallery and detailed stained glass, some of which dates from the late 1800s. The 19th century Henry Willis organ adds to its list of attractions.
Techniquest
Stuart Street, Cardiff Bay
029 2047 5475
Techniquest has more than 150 hands-on exhibits to entertain all ages. Visitors can fire a rocket, race an electric car or play a giant keyboard. The wonders of the universe will be revealed in the Planetarium and visitors can join one of the shows in the Science Theatre.
www.techniquest.org
Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre
Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay
Discover the past, present and future of Cardiff Bay, its waterfront and Barrage. Known as 'The Tube', architect William Alsop has created a building like a giant telescope, focussing on the Cardiff Bay panorama.
www.cardiffharbour.com/learning/visitor.htm
Wales Millenium Centre
Cardiff Bay
0870 040 2000
The WMC is a stunning £106m performing arts complex opened in 2004 hosting opera, ballet, dance and musicals. The structure's huge dome is clad in steel treated with copper oxide to give it a bronze colour. Inscribed above the main entrance are two lines, written by Welsh poet Gwyneth Lewis. The Welsh 'creu gwir fel gwydr o ffwrnais awen' means 'creating truth like glass from the furnace of inspiration'. The English is 'In these stones, horizons sing'. All materials used, including slate and wood, come from Wales.
www.wmc.org.uk
Cardiff Castle
Bute Park
029 2087 8100
Museum of the Royal Regiment of Wales
029 2022 9367
Regal peacocks roam the grounds of three castles rolled into one. The original Roman walls run around the Norman keep, standing guard over the whole site. The castle, restored by the Marquess of Bute in the 19th century, is the main attraction with it’s decadently decorated rooms and clock tower. There is also the Museum of the Royal Regiment of Wales on site and themed Welsh banquets in the evenings.
www.cardiffcastle.com
Castell Coch
Tongwynlais
029 2081 0101
The rounded towers of the ‘fairytale castle’ peep through the trees north of Cardiff. As with Cardiff Castle, its design was the brainchild of Bute and Burgess. The drawing room is adorned with murals inspired by Aesop’s Fables and the Sleeping Beauty Bedroom created for Lady Bute adds to the splendour. Some medieval rooms have been opened to the public, allowing visitors a glimpse of what life was like in the 13th century castle that was originally situated at this location.
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
City Hall
Cathays Park
029 2087 1736
City Hall forms the centerpiece of Cardiff’s Civic Centre. Its domed neo-classical structure encloses a stately Marble Hall which houses statues celebrating the heroes of Wales. During normal office hours, and when not in use, the function rooms are open to the public. It is advisable to call before visiting.
Craft in the Bay
Cardiff Bay
029 2048 4611
This is the artistic centre of Cardiff Bay. Here you will find some amazing exhibitions of arts and crafts, plus classes in which you can take part.
www.makersguildinwales.org.uk
Llandaff Cathedral
The Green, Llandafff
029 2056 4554
The cathedral is tucked away on the outskirts of Cardiff but its spire can be seen across the city. First constructed in the 6th century, the cathedral was finally restored in the 1960s after suffering bomb damage from the blitz in 1941. The focal point of the cathedral is Jacob Epstein’s sculpture Christ in Majesty, which hangs over the congregation.
www.llandaffcathedral.org.uk
Millennium Stadium
Westgate Street
029 2082 2228
The Millennium Stadium, which hosted the Rugby World Cup in 1999, runs regular tours. The site of several FA Cup Finals (the final has now returned to Wembley) as well as many other significant sporting events; you can walk down the players’ tunnel, have a nose around the changing rooms, recline in the Royal Box or sit in the highest seats for a spectacular view.
www.milleniumstadium.com
St Fagans Natural History Museum
St Fagans
029 2057 3500
Step back in time in this outdoor history museum set in 100 acres of woodland. More than 30 original Welsh cottages, farmhouses, a shop, school, tollgate and chapel have been reconstructed here offering an insight into Welsh life over the centuries.
St Fagans Castle occupies the same grounds, with formal gardens just made for anyone who enjoys a stroll.
www.museumwales.ac.uk
National Museum Cardiff
Cathays Park
029 2039 7951
Housed in one of the Civic Centre's neo-classical buildings, the collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art forms the centrepiece of the Museum's attractions. The permanent exhibition of the evolution of Wales retraces its geological origins and events programmes have something for everyone, children included.
www.museumwakes.ac.uk
Norwegian Church Arts Centre
Inner Harbour - Cardiff Bay
029 2045 4899
The white-painted traditional wooden church is one of the most distinctive buildings in the Bay. Originally built in 1867 as a place of worship for visiting seamen it was reconstruted here by a trust set up under the guidance of Roald Dahl, who was baptised there.
Roath Park
Roath
A large park popular with strollers, joggers and rowers alike. The lake is home to a variety of waterfowl and its lighthouse is a monument to Captain Scott who set sail for the Antarctic from Cardiff.
St John the Baptist Church
St John's Street
In the city centre since 1473, the church was restored in 1897. Inside is a musician's gallery and detailed stained glass, some of which dates from the late 1800s. The 19th century Henry Willis organ adds to its list of attractions.
Techniquest
Stuart Street, Cardiff Bay
029 2047 5475
Techniquest has more than 150 hands-on exhibits to entertain all ages. Visitors can fire a rocket, race an electric car or play a giant keyboard. The wonders of the universe will be revealed in the Planetarium and visitors can join one of the shows in the Science Theatre.
www.techniquest.org
Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre
Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay
Discover the past, present and future of Cardiff Bay, its waterfront and Barrage. Known as 'The Tube', architect William Alsop has created a building like a giant telescope, focussing on the Cardiff Bay panorama.
www.cardiffharbour.com/learning/visitor.htm
Wales Millenium Centre
Cardiff Bay
0870 040 2000
The WMC is a stunning £106m performing arts complex opened in 2004 hosting opera, ballet, dance and musicals. The structure's huge dome is clad in steel treated with copper oxide to give it a bronze colour. Inscribed above the main entrance are two lines, written by Welsh poet Gwyneth Lewis. The Welsh 'creu gwir fel gwydr o ffwrnais awen' means 'creating truth like glass from the furnace of inspiration'. The English is 'In these stones, horizons sing'. All materials used, including slate and wood, come from Wales.
www.wmc.org.uk