About Cardiff
Cardiff (Welsh: Caerdydd) is the capital and the largest city and county in Wales. As well as being the political capital, it is Wales's capital of business, education, sport, tourism, culture, media and government. According to recent local government estimates, the population of the unitary authority area c. 320,000.
The history of the city dates back to AD55 when the Roman's established a fort on the site of what is now Cardiff Castle. Some of the original Roman walls can still be seen in Cardiff Castle, and it is suggested that Cardiff even took its name from Roman general Aulus Didius – Caer Didi means ‘Fort of Didius’ (although others suggest it comes from the Welsh for Fort on the Taff). The Vikings, and in particular the Normans also made their presence felt in Cardiff when in 1091 Robert Fitzhamon began work on the castle keep, which has been at the heart of the city ever since.
Probably the biggest changes in the Cardiff took place during the 19th Century in the wake of the industrial revolution and the town grew rapidly from the 1830s onwards, when John Crichton-Stuart, the 2nd Marquess of Bute built a dock which eventually linked to the Taff Vale Railway. Cardiff became the main port for exports of coal from the Cynon, Rhondda, and Rhymney valleys, and grew at a rate of nearly 80% per decade between 1840 and 1870. This transformed Cardiff into the biggest coal exporting port in the world, resulting in King Edward VII granting Cardiff city status in 1905. The port reached its peak in 1913, with more than 10 million tons going through the port. During this time Cardiff's industrial base with the decision of Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds, owners of the Dowlais Ironworks in Merthyr, to build a new steelworks close to the docks at East Moors in 1890.
Attractions in and around Cardiff
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Bay (Welsh: Bae Caerdydd) is the area in and around the freshwater lake created by the Cardiff Barrage. The area was locally known as Tiger Bay and was the birthplace of singer Shirley Bassey and Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs. Cardiff Bay has undergone significant regeneration and it is now widely regarded as one of the most successful regeneration projects in the UK. The area is known to millions of TV viewers through its appearances as a location for TV programmes such as Doctor Who and Torchwood.
The Bay itself is supplied by two rivers (Taff and Ely) to form a 500-acre (200 hectare) freshwater lake round the former dockland area south of the city centre. The Bay was formerly tidal, with access to the sea limited to a couple of hours each side of high water but now provides 24 hour access through three locks.
The area has many attractions including:
Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre
A unique building known locally as 'The Tube' managed by Cardiff Harbour Authority housing exhibitions and providing visitor information about Cardiff Bay and its regeneration.
The Pierhead Building
The Pierhead Building is a Grade 1 listed building built in 1897 and designed by William Frame, who studied under William Burgess It was formerly the headquarters of the Bute Dock Company. It is now the location of "The Assembly at the Pierhead", the Visitor and Education Centre for the National Assembly for Wales.
The Senedd
The Senedd (Welsh for Legislature, Parliament or Senate) is the home of the National Assembly for Wales. The building was designed by world famous architect Richard Rogers and built at a cost of £67 million and was officially opened on 1 March 2006 by Queen Elizabeth II.
Wales Millennium Centre
Wales Millennium Centre (nicknamed locally as The Armadillo) is a centre for the performing arts. It was opened during the weekend of the 26-28 November 2004 and has hosted performances of opera, ballet, dance, comedy and musicals. The 37,000 square metre (398,000 square foot) building currently comprises two theatres and a smaller hall, shops, bars and restaurants, and seven resident Welsh arts organisations (including the Welsh National Opera).
Norwegian Church
The Norwegian Church in Cardiff, Wales, is a historic timber-built church building, which was formerly a place of worship for the Norwegian community in Cardiff. Cardiff-born writer Roald Dahl was baptised in the church. The building is now used as an arts centre, appropriately named The Norwegian Church Arts Centre.
Techniquest
Techniquest is a science and discovery centre that was first established in Cardiff in 1986. Techniquest gives visitors a hands-on approach to science and includes a science theatre, a planetarium, and a discovery centre.
City Centre and Suburbs
Cardiff Castle
In the heart of the capital is Cardiff Castle - a truly remarkable site with a history that spans 2000 years; Roman soldiers slept here, noble knights held court here and the Bute family with extraordinary wealth and vision transformed the Castle into a romantic Victorian fantasy. Architect William Burges created
the lavish and opulent interiors; each breathtaking room rich with murals, stained glass and gilding. The
new Interpretation Centre will relate the extraordinary episodes in the Castle’s history. An exposed original Roman wall, exhibition and film presentation, plus an audio guide (available in several languages) will revolutionise visitors’ perception of this site. A guided tour of the Castle apartments is key to any visit.
Church of St. John the Baptist
Cardiff’s second oldest building after the Castle, St John’s City Parish Church is a fine 15th century building with a landmark perpendicular tower, right next to the covered market. With some fine Victorian stained glass, a 16th century tomb with effigies and some 20th century artworks, it welcomes the world daily. A volunteer run tea room offers home made refreshments of quality, and it is open most days. Look at for the ‘Open’ signs on the church railings.
Llandaff Cathedral
Located to the North of the city centre (at the Northern end of Bute Park) Llandaff Cathedral is one of two cathedrals in Cardiff, the other being the Roman Catholic cathedral in the city centre. Llandaff Cathedral stands on one of the oldest Christian sites in Britain. In the sixth century St Dyfrig founded a community close to the ford where the Roman road crossed the river Taff.
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales and the home of the Wales national rugby union team and the Wales national football team. Its removable pitch allows it to host many other events and sports, such as Wales Rally Great Britain stage of the World Rally Championship, Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain, boxing and many music concerts, including Madonna, The Rolling Stones.
National Museum and Gallery of Wales
National Museum Cardiff is a museum and art gallery located in the Edwardian civic complex of Cathays Park, which includes the City Hall, Law Courts, Cardiff University. The museum has a wide variety of exhibits covering art, archaeology, natural history and geology. With a busy programme of exhibitions and events, we have something to amaze everyone, whatever your interest – admission is free!
St. Fagans National Museum
Located on the outskirts of the city it provides a walk around Wales – from Celtic times to present day. St
Fagans is one of Europe’s foremost open-air museums and Wales’ most popular heritage attraction. It stands in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle, a late 16th century manor house donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of Plymouth. During the last fifty years, over forty original buildings from different historical periods have been re-erected in the 100-acre parkland. Free entry for all.
Websites
For more information about attractions in Cardiff go to:
http://www.visitcardiff.co.uk
http://www.cardiffharbour.com
http://www.cardiffcastle.com
http://www.museumwales.ac.uk
