CITY

Introduction:

Cardiff, or as in Welsh, Caerdydd, is , as London, a capital city. The capital of Wales is located on the country’s south coast and with a population of 328,400 also its largest city.

Brief History:

Sitting on three rivers, the Taff, Ely and Rhymney makes the city an ideal spot for trade. The first peoples to take advantage of this were the Romans. They erected a fort, on the location of the current Cardiff Castle, in AD55-60. The fort survived until AD350-375, when the Romans left and some of the walls remain today.

The Romans were later replaced by the Vikings and then Normans and the castle keep was started in 1091. The castle has remained the heart of the city since. The original wooden castle was replaced in stone, by the then Duke of Gloucester, in the 12th century.

The medieval town developed from this time until it was destroyed in the 15th century by the Welsh army led by Owain Glyndwyr. The town was again rebuilt.

In the 16th century when England and Wales were formally joined, Cardiff became the county town of Glamorganshire.

The last battle in Wales occurred when the Royalist army was defeated by the Parliamentarians in the Civil War, in 1648.

In 1840 the railway arrived with the first route to Abercynon which was extended to Merthyr Tydfil in 1841.

It was not until the 19th century that Cardiff became of national importance when coal was exported from the port. The Glamorganshire Canal was built from Merthyr Tydfil to Cardiff docks so that the coal from the Rhondha coal fields could be transported more easily.

Administrative buildings and first modern shopping outlets were constructed during the 19th century. Also during this period the famous sporting clubs and venues started to emerge.

The late 19th century/early 20th century saw Cardiff become the largest exporter of coal in the world and in recognition of this Edward VII bestowed city status on the town in 1905.

The port reached its peak in 1913 and was important through two world wars. The coal industry started to decline in the 1970s.

In 1910 Captain Scott left Cardiff on his ill fated South Pole expedition in his ship the Terra Nova.

In 1955 Cardiff was made capital of Wales.

The aftermath of the coal industry saw Cardiff develop into a modern city based on financial, engineering, tourism and retail industries.

The British Commonwealth and Empire Games was hosted by Cardiff in 1958.

1997 saw some Westminster powers devolved to Wales and a new Assembly building was planned and built in the city. The 21st Century city is a dynamic centre for business, retail and tourism.

Things to do:

As the capital and largest city in Wales it is taken that there is a wealth of interesting and diverse activities to enjoy. The following are worth noting:- 

Cardiff Castle:

Located in Castle Street in the centre of the city the castle is the dominant building of the capital. Within the walls you can see the keep, the war time shelters, a film presentation and the apartments. Welsh banquets can be booked and there is also a café and shop.

St. Fagan’s National History Museum:

Is a fascinating open air museum which gives a visual insight into how the Welsh people lived and worked over the past centuries. It is based in St. Fagan’s Castle a 16th century manor house and contains over 40 original, historic buildings, fields and farmyards.

Working craftsmen and skills are on show every day. The Welsh language can be heard and music and dance events are held.

Doctor Who Experience:

is based at Discovery Quay on Cardiff Docks. It is a hands on experience and time travel in the Tardis with the doctor introduces you to the scariest creatures from the TV series.

The doctor’s costumes from 1963 to the present are on display.

There is an on-site café.

World of Boats:

Boats from around the world and a large collection of historical British vessels can be seen at this exhibition at Porth Teigr on Cardiff Bay.

Llandaff Cathedral:

In a tranquil setting beside the River Taff this beautiful building sits on one of the oldest Christian sites in Britain.

National Museum of Wales:

In the city centre. As well as telling the evolution of Wales the museum also houses galleries of porcelain, European paintings, sculpture, archaeology and natural history.

Nearby Attractions:

Worth visiting near the city are:-

The Big Pit:

Is a national coal museum and is a real mine. Ex-miners take you on a tour of the mine way underground and you walk along the roads, the pit ponies stables, the engine rooms etc.. Above ground you can visit the colliery buildings, blacksmiths and the pit baths. The pit based at Blaenavon also has a café.

Caerphilly Castle:

This 13th century moated castle is second only to Windsor in size in Britain. Although a ruin it has had some restoration and well worth a visit.

The town of Caerphilly with a population of 30,388 is a bustling town with good road and rail connections.

Porthcawl and Barry Island:

Traditional seaside resorts with traditional seaside amusements sit on the coast not far from the city.

Sport fanatics:

You are spoilt for choice with the variety of sporting activity in the Welsh capital.

It is the home of Welsh Rugby Union and its magnificent home is the Millennium Stadium located right in the city centre. The Six Nations competition is held here together with Rugby League internationals.

Cardiff International Sports Village hosts Cardiff Devils Ice Hockey team and International White Water facilities.

The city also boasts a 50 metre pool in the International Swimming Complex.

Glamorgan County Cricket Club is based in the city and other sports such as golf, rowing, mountain biking and badminton etc. are well catered for.

Night Life:

A capital city is expected to have a night scene and Cardiff doesn’t disappoint.

All night bars with live music and clubs for dancing exist with St. Mary Street and Greyfriars Road areas being in the centre of things. Genres such as R & B, Dance and House are to the fore.

Good pubs can be found throughout the city with DJ’s and live bands for entertainment.

Casinos are available, which also serve food.

There is a lively gay scene with many pubs and bars throughout the city centre.

St. David’s Hall is an excellent entertainment venue. It hosts rock and classical music concerts, together with comedy nights, and is a conference centre and even hosts tea dances.

The New Theatre in Park Place stages musicals and plays throughout the year.

Modern and contemporary theatre can be found at the Everyman’s Theatre. 

For film buffs the Cineworld, Vue and Odeon chains screen a variety of new and classic movies.

Eating Out:

Being the capital of Wales, it is expected that Welsh food plays a part in Cardiff cuisine. City centre locations such as Mill Lane, St. Mary Street, Brewery Quarter and East Side in St. David’s have a range of cafes and restaurants  offering dishes from South America, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Thailand and Indian sub-continent.

Cardiff Bay offers French, Chinese and Turkish delights and Welsh food is on the menu at Mimosa and also Ffresh.

Local cafes and national food chains are in abundance.

Shopping:

As would be expected the city is the leading shopping city in Wales, and named sixth in UK, with major department stores such as John Lewis,. There are also some interesting arcades including Royal, Wyndham, Morgan, Castle, Duke Street and High Street. Morgan Arcade contains the world’s oldest record shop and shops selling typical Welsh wares are spread throughout the arcades.

National chains and independent shops, together with cafes, bars etc. for lunches are available to complete a great city centre shopping experience.

Mermaid Quay at Cardiff Bay and markets are also worth a visit.

Accommodation:

With over eighty hotels and guest houses to choose from the visitor is spoilt for choice. International and national hotel chains, local inns and cosy guest houses are available for those who prefer quieter surroundings. All these accommodations are spread through the city centre, suburbs and local countryside.

Transport:

Rail:

With fast trains from London Paddington to Cardiff Central Station and connections to all areas of Great Britain, the city is easily accessible for an enjoyable weekend break. Arriva operate a substantial service throughout Wales. Check  www.nationalrail.co.uk

Bus:

With the bus station located next to the central railway station and stops throughout the city centre bus travel is a good way to get around the capital.

All suburbs and local towns and villages are served.

National Express run services from Cardiff to rest of country.

Road:

With the M4, starting in London and finishing at Swansea, running around the northern edge of the city, it is easy to arrive and leave.

The M4 links with the M5 over the River Severn giving further good connections to the South West and the rest of UK.

A good local network of roads gives excellent access to local towns and countryside.

Taxis:

A dozen or so taxi firms based in the city can get you around from station or airport or city centre to anywhere throughout Cardiff.

Air:

Located just twelve miles from the city centre, in the Vale of Glamorgan, the city centre is easily accessible by rail, bus or taxi.

The airport itself has routes to all corners of the UK and Europe and good connections to rest of the world.