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Things to see in Cardiff

Attractions

National Museum Cardiff (Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd)

This magnificent museum tells the story of the evolution of Wales from the beginnings of time to the present day. Its collections are extensive and beautifully displayed, covering geology, botany, natural history, zoology and archaeology. The exhibits include Bronze Age treasures and Celtic artefacts. It is also home to the National Museum of Art. The art gallery has works spanning 500 years and is one of the finest collections in Europe. It is home to an impressive collection of impressionist paintings as well as a regular programme of temporary exhibitions.

Address: , Cathays Park, Cardiff,
Telephone: (029) 2057 3000.
Opening times:

Tues-Sun 1000-1700 and Bank Holiday Mondays.

Website: http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/cardiff/
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Cardiff Castle (Castell Caerdydd)

Originally home to a Roman garrison, the site of Cardiff Castle was later developed as a stronghold by the Normans. The ruins of the Norman keep can still be visited, but the present castle owes its appeal to the Victorian eccentricities of the third Marquis of Bute. Under his direction, architect William Burges created a gothic fantasy of towers, swirls and ornate interiors with murals, stained glass windows and decorative carving. The apartments can only be visited as part of a tour but the knowledgeable guides bring the history of the castle to life.

Address: , Castle Street, Cardiff,
Telephone: (029) 2087 8100.
Opening times:

Daily 0900-1800 (Mar-Oct); daily 0900-1700 (Nov-Feb).

Website: http://www.cardiffcastle.com
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Millennium Stadium (Stadiwm y Milleniwm)

Located on the hallowed turf of the former Cardiff Arms Park, the 72,500-capacity Millennium Stadium is one of the most modern sports venues in Europe. Since it opened in 1999, the stadium has proved to be a great success by hosting big sports events and huge arena concerts. At the 2012 Olympics, the stadium played host to the football matches. Guided tours take visitors to the pitch, dressing rooms, royal box and the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame, which has a selection of sporting memorabilia. A riverside walkway runs alongside the stadium.

Address: , Westgate Street, Cardiff,
Telephone: 0870 013 8600.
Opening times:

 Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1000-1600. Check with stadium for match and event days.

Website: http://www.millenniumstadium.com
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

St Fagans: National History Museum

This museum is situated in the grounds of the Elizabethan mansion, St Fagan’s Castle, in the village of the same name, just to the west of Cardiff city centre. It is an open-air museum where visitors can explore over 40 Welsh buildings that have been brought in from all over the country and rebuilt in the extensive gardens. The buildings include a 19th century farmyard, a pottery, a tannery, a Victorian schoolroom, a post office, tollhouse and a workmen's institute. There are also six homes with contents showing life in Wales from 1805 to 1985.

Address: , St Fagans Castle, Cardiff,
Telephone: (029) 2057 3500.
Opening times:

Daily 1000-1700.

Website: http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/stfagans
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Cardiff Bay (Bae Caerdydd)

Cardiff Bay juxtaposes outstanding modern architecture and 19th-century dockland heritage. The Cardiff Bay Barrage, opened in 2001, created a new freshwater lake and 12km (7.5 miles) of waterfront with parks, entertainment complexes, shops, bars and restaurants. Boat tours around the Bay and out to the Barrage are available. The Bay is home to the Techniquest Science Discovery Centre, Craft in the Bay, The Senedd (the Welsh Assembly's debating chamber at the Pierhead), Butetown History and Arts Centre, Goleulong 2000 Lightship, the Wales Millennium Centre and the Norwegian Church Arts Centre.

Address: , Cardiff Bay, Cardiff,
Telephone: (029) 2087 7927.
Opening times:

 Daily 24 hours.

Website: http://www.cardiffbay.co.uk
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Doctor Who Experience

Follow the time-travelling Doctor on an interactive journey through time and space in this temporary exhibition. Based on the popular BBC TV series, the Doctor Who Experience moved here from London in 2012 and will remain in Cardiff until 2017. The exhibition starts with a short film that sets the scene for the rest of the visit, which includes an interactive episode featuring the Daleks. Visitors are also free to explore the two floors of memorabilia, costumes and props that were used in the series. Entry is by timeslots, so tickets should be booked in advance, especially during school holidays.

Address: Cardiff Bay, Discovery Quay, Cardiff,
Telephone: 0844 801 3663.
Opening times:

 Weds-Mon 1000-1700.

Website: http://www.doctorwhoexperience.com
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Llandaff Cathedral (Eglwys Gadeiriol Llandaf)

Llandaff Cathedral is located in a quiet conservation area just 3km (2 miles) from the city centre. Founded in the 6th century by Saint Teilo, it stands on one of the oldest Christian sites in Britain. The present cathedral dates from 1107 when the original church was replaced with a larger building. It was extended further in 1220 and its West front stands as an important example of mediaeval architecture. In the sanctuary is St Teilo's Tomb which, before the Reformation, made the church one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Wales.

Address: Llandaff, Cardiff Road, Cardiff, Wales,
Telephone: (029) 2056 4554.
Opening times:

 Mon, Fri and Sat 0900-1900, Tues-Thurs 0700-1900, Sun 0700-1930.

Website: http://www.llandaffcathedral.org.uk
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Cardiff parks

Roath Park is one of the city's most attractive parks, with rose gardens, a boating lake and a memorial to Captain Scott, who set sail from Cardiff on his Antarctic expedition. Bute Park, formerly the grounds of the castle, is also a delightful place to stroll. Few cities can boast such a green route directly into its heart as the Taff Trail, a cycle route that winds its way north to south from Brecon through Cardiff city centre to Cardiff Bay.

Address: Roath Park, , Cardiff,
Telephone: (029) 2068 4000 (Cardiff Council Parks Service).
Opening times:

Daily 0730 until 30 minutes before sunset.

Website: http://www.cardiff.gov.uk
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Castell Coch

Castell Coch is a flamboyant gothic fantasy that was created as a rural retreat for the Marquis of Bute. It was commissioned to complement the opulence of Cardiff Castle, the Marquis’s main residence. The architect William Burges was given free rein and didn’t hold back. The result is a fairytale castle, with round towers, dazzling walls and ceilings, and red turrets. It stands as an example of an unbounded Victorian imagination combined with pots of cash. Castell Coch is situated in woodlands at Tongwynlais, just outside Cardiff. It is easily accessible by train or car.

Address: , Tongwynlais, Cardiff,
Telephone: (029) 2081 0101.
Opening times:

Daily 0930-1700 (Mar-Jun and Sep-Oct); Daily 0930-1800 (Jul-Aug); Mon-Sat 1000-1600, Sun 1100-1600 (Nov-Dec and Feb-Mar).

Website: http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Norwegian Church Arts Centre

The Norwegian Church dates from the 19th century when it acted as a home away from home for the Norwegian sailors who transported timber from Scandinavia. The wood was used in the coalmines as pit props, and the ships returned to Norway with coal. It was in this church that Roald Dahl was christened, so it is no surprise that he was president of the organisation that raised funds to restore it after it fell into disrepair. The church was dismantled and moved from its original site as part of the redevelopment of the docks and today it hosts an art gallery and café.

Address: , Harbour Drive, Cardiff,
Telephone: (029) 2087 7959.
Opening times:

Daily 1100-1600.

Website: http://www.norwegianchurchcardiff.co.uk
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Tourist Offices

Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre (The Tube)

Address: Cardiff Bay, Harbour Drive, Cardiff,
Telephone: (029) 2087 7927.
Opening times:

1000-1800 daily.

Website: http://www.visitcardiffbay.info.

Cardiff Tourist Information Centre

Address: The Hayes (city centre), The Old Library, Cardiff, Wales,
Telephone: (029) 2087 3573.
Opening times:

Mon-Sat 0930; Sun 1000-1600.

Website: http://www.visitcardiff.com/
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