Whether you are preparing for a first trip to Cardiff this weekend or know the Millennium Stadium well, here is a guide to what to see and do in the Welsh capital...
Cardiff Castle
Just round the corner from the stadium is the 2,000-year-old Cardiff Castle. Tours take place throughout the day or enjoy a stroll around the gardens. Castle grounds, interpretation centre and some apartments admission is £8.95 adult, £6.35 child. Full tour, adult £3 extra, child £2.15 extra. www.cardiffcastle.com
National Museum
Two wealthy sisters bequeathed their 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. www.museumwales.ac.uk
Cardiff Bay
The old docklands have been redeveloped to create Cardiff Bay, home to sailing and water sports, the five-star St David’s hotel and spa, and Mermaid Quay – a restaurant hotspot with everything from Italian to Japanese cuisine. The bay is also home to the Wales Millennium Centre, a vast arts centre that plays host to opera, ballet and West End musicals. The centre is free to visit and backstage tours take place daily. Book in advance, £5.50 adults, £4.50 concessions. Show tickets £5-£35.
Old Brewery Quarter
The site of the old Brains brewery has been transformed into a Mediterranean-style plaza, with restaurants, a Hard Rock Café and the Yard pub, where you can sample Cardiff’s local brew – Brain’s beer.
Victorian Arcades
Designer clothes, quirky gifts and traditional Welsh goods can all be found here.
Home of Daleks
Terry Nation, creator of Doctor Who’s arch-enemies, the Daleks, was born in Cardiff.
The Bay is home to the Doctor Who Up Close exhibition, where visitors can see
monsters, costumes and props from the BBC Wales series, much of which was
filmed in and around Cardiff. The area is also one of the mains settings for the Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood. Admission is £6 adults, £4.50 children.
Captain Scott heads South
In 1910 Captain Robert Scott set off from Cardiff on his ill-fated trip to the South Pole. There is a memorial sculpture in Cardiff Bay, a memorial lighthouse in Roath Park and The Discovery pub which is home to photos from the expedition. The Royal Hotel in St Mary Street, where Scott ate his farewell dinner, has restored the oak-panelled Captain Scott room.
Cosmeston Medieval Village
Five miles west of Cardiff lies an authentic medieval village in 110 hectares of countryside. Explore meadows, lakes, woodland and wetland and visit the 14th century. Or simply enjoy the lakeside restaurant. Park entry free. medieval village adults £5, children/OAPs £2, family £12. Call 029 2070 1678.
St Fagans National History Museum
Twenty minutes drive from the city centre is this vast open-air museum, home to a variety of historic buildings from across Wales including mansion houses, cottages, farmhouses and a Victorian shop complex with a working bakery, blacksmiths, saddler, tea shop and store. Free entry, call 029 2057 3500, www.museumwales.ac.uk
More information
Find hotel deals and details of what to see and do in Cardiff, or for a guide to places to eat and drink, go to www.visitcardiff.com
The Tourist Information Centre at the Old Library, The Hayes, also provides left-luggage facilities and tourist information.
Cardiff Castle
Just round the corner from the stadium is the 2,000-year-old Cardiff Castle. Tours take place throughout the day or enjoy a stroll around the gardens. Castle grounds, interpretation centre and some apartments admission is £8.95 adult, £6.35 child. Full tour, adult £3 extra, child £2.15 extra. www.cardiffcastle.com
National Museum
Two wealthy sisters bequeathed their 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. www.museumwales.ac.uk
Cardiff Bay
The old docklands have been redeveloped to create Cardiff Bay, home to sailing and water sports, the five-star St David’s hotel and spa, and Mermaid Quay – a restaurant hotspot with everything from Italian to Japanese cuisine. The bay is also home to the Wales Millennium Centre, a vast arts centre that plays host to opera, ballet and West End musicals. The centre is free to visit and backstage tours take place daily. Book in advance, £5.50 adults, £4.50 concessions. Show tickets £5-£35.
Old Brewery Quarter
The site of the old Brains brewery has been transformed into a Mediterranean-style plaza, with restaurants, a Hard Rock Café and the Yard pub, where you can sample Cardiff’s local brew – Brain’s beer.
Victorian Arcades
Designer clothes, quirky gifts and traditional Welsh goods can all be found here.
Home of Daleks
Terry Nation, creator of Doctor Who’s arch-enemies, the Daleks, was born in Cardiff.
The Bay is home to the Doctor Who Up Close exhibition, where visitors can see
monsters, costumes and props from the BBC Wales series, much of which was
filmed in and around Cardiff. The area is also one of the mains settings for the Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood. Admission is £6 adults, £4.50 children.
Captain Scott heads South
In 1910 Captain Robert Scott set off from Cardiff on his ill-fated trip to the South Pole. There is a memorial sculpture in Cardiff Bay, a memorial lighthouse in Roath Park and The Discovery pub which is home to photos from the expedition. The Royal Hotel in St Mary Street, where Scott ate his farewell dinner, has restored the oak-panelled Captain Scott room.
Cosmeston Medieval Village
Five miles west of Cardiff lies an authentic medieval village in 110 hectares of countryside. Explore meadows, lakes, woodland and wetland and visit the 14th century. Or simply enjoy the lakeside restaurant. Park entry free. medieval village adults £5, children/OAPs £2, family £12. Call 029 2070 1678.
St Fagans National History Museum
Twenty minutes drive from the city centre is this vast open-air museum, home to a variety of historic buildings from across Wales including mansion houses, cottages, farmhouses and a Victorian shop complex with a working bakery, blacksmiths, saddler, tea shop and store. Free entry, call 029 2057 3500, www.museumwales.ac.uk
More information
Find hotel deals and details of what to see and do in Cardiff, or for a guide to places to eat and drink, go to www.visitcardiff.com
The Tourist Information Centre at the Old Library, The Hayes, also provides left-luggage facilities and tourist information.
