Cardiff Local Information: 10 top things to know... more

  • 1. History of Cardiff

    The Romans settled on the site of Cardiff Castle in about AD60 and some of the original walls from their fort can still be seen. A castle was built on the site in the 11th century but was built in wood. A castle of stone was constructed in the 12th century. In the 15th century the town was destroyed and the castle lay in ruins until being reconstructed in 1423. It was then that...Read more the octagonal tower, now known as Beauchamp's tower, was built. Much of the rest of the castle and walls dates back to the 19th century. In the late 19th century the Glamorganshire canal was built to link Merthyr Tydfil with Cardiff and the Cardiff docks. This led to Cardiff becoming the biggest coal exporter in the world. Dockworkers and sailors from around the world settled in communities near the docks, known as Tiger Bay, and up to 45 different nationalities helped create the unique multi-cultural character of the area. Read less

  • 2. Now in Cardiff

    The dock areas went into decline in the 1970s and 1980s, but have now been regenerated and Cardiff Bay is now a modern waterside development of attractions. The Millennium Stadium, in the city centre, hosts many national and international sporting events as well as live music. The capital of Wales is popular for tourists and for students, and has plenty of attractions, venues a...Read morend shopping facilities as well as modern and historic sightseeing opportunities, all within walking distance. Read less

  • 3. Events in Cardiff

    There are plenty of sporting events taking place regularly at the Millennium Stadium, including international rugby matches, motorcycling events and football. The venue also hosts major live concerts. Events on the annual calendar include the Cardiff Festival, which celebrates art, music, culture and sport. The Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras is a one-day celebration that takes p...Read morelace every September. Other events include the Cardiff Vintage Fashion Fair, the Cardiff Design Festival and the Great Welsh Beer and Cider Festival. Read less

  • 4. Attractions in Cardiff

    Cardiff Castle sits in the heart of the city and has 2,000 years of history to tell. Visitors with children can also enjoy a stay and play area containing arts and crafts activities. The National Museum Cardiff has an impressionist gallery containing work by Monet, Picasso and Rodin. Roald Dahl fans can visit the Norwegian Church Arts Centre, where the author was christened. Th...Read moreis building also has a great history to tell. The St Fagans open air museum, on the outskirts of the city centre, stands in the grounds of St Fagans Castle and includes 40 buildings showing different periods in history. The buildings include houses, a farm, a school and a chapel. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do in Cardiff

    Visitors to Cardiff can take a day tour to Flat Holm Island, a Site of Special Scientific Interest just five miles from the city in the Bristol Channel. The island has a large gull population and other wildlife including slow worms and shelducks. Cardiff International White Water, in the International Sports Village, is the first on-demand white water facility in the UK. Visito...Read morers can enjoy water rafting, kayaking, hydro speeding and hot-dogging in a controlled environment. Cycling tours are a popular way to see the city’s sights. Tours on many other themes are also on offer in Cardiff. Read less

  • 6. Business in Cardiff

    In March 2004 Cardiff was named as the world’s first FairTrade Capital City. The title was awarded after Cardiff Council ensured FairTrade products were available in a number of cafes, stores and supermarkets in the city, as well as serving FairTrade teas and coffees in its own canteens and meetings. Cardiff has a wide variety of shopping facilities to cater for all tastes. E...Read moredwardian and Victorian arcades sit alongside modern shopping centres. There are also plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars to stop and relax in. Read less

  • 7. Transport in Cardiff

    Cardiff Airport offers flights to destinations worldwide. Cardiff’s Central Train Station is the main rail station with links all over the UK. It is a Grade II listed building in the city centre. Most buses and coaches into Cardiff arrive at Cardiff bus station, adjacent to Cardiff Central Station. The M4 from London runs right through the north of the city.

  • 8. Entertainment in Cardiff

    The Wales Millennium Centre stages theatre, West End musicals, opera, ballet, contemporary dance, hip-hop, stand-up comedy, art exhibitions, workshops, training days, free daily foyer performances and more. Other theatre venues include the New Theatre, St David’s Hall, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Chapter Arts Centre and many more. The list of live music venues...Read more includes the Millennium Stadium, Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, St David’s Hall, The Norwegian Church and Cardiff Central Library. Read less

  • 9. Famous Landmarks in Cardiff

    Landmarks include Cardiff Castle and The Norwegian Church, an arts centre that was once a church for Norwegian sailors. Castell Coch is the remains of a medieval castle mixed with the work of a reconstruction in 1875. It has fairytale towers and turrets.

  • 10. Interesting Facts about Cardiff

    Famous names to come out of Cardiff include Roald Dahl, Ryan Giggs, Colin Jackson, Shirley Bassey and Charlotte Church.

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Cardiff Events

  • Cardiff Festival

    Cardiff Festival takes over the city for the summer months, running from the end of June to the beginning of September. The festival is a celebration of art, music and culture and features a packed programme of events across the city. It has been running for 26 years.

  • Joust!

    Every June Cardiff Castle is the appropriate backdrop for a weekend of medieval-themed events known as Joust! One of the highlights of the annual event is the realistic jousting tournament, in which The Knights of Royal England ride into the arena on horseback and batt

  • 16 June 2013 - 23 June 2013

    BBC Cardiff Singer of the World

    This competition takes place in Cardiff every two years and has become one of the world’s biggest singing events. The event takes place over two weeks in June and was established in 1983. The competition attracts agents, managers, opera house directors and impresarios

  • 11 February 2013 - 04 April 2018

    Safestore Cardiff

    Located nearby Cardiff Bay Link Road, with easy access from the M4, Safestore is ideally situated for all your storage needs in Cardiff. With 24 hour access to your specific unit and a host of transport options, Safestore, Cardiff will remove all the qualms from storage

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