Shopping in Cardiff
Cardiff is a shoppers' delight, with the biggest high street names at our award-winning St David's Shopping Centre, independent boutiques peppered throughout our stunning Victorian and Edwardian arcade quarter and our iconic, eclectic indoor market for street food, Welsh cakes, shopping and some off-the-beaten-track surprises, too!
VISIT CARDIFF BAY
Cardiff’s waterfront is made for casual summer strolls. Take a water taxi from the city centre to the many bars and restaurants of Mermaid Quay or head straight there from here – it's about 20 minutes in the car. Walk across to the Norwegian Church – dating back to the time Cardiff was the world’s biggest exporter of coal – or take in a matinée at the stunning Wales Millennium Centre before heading ‘home’ for a beautiful three course dinner.
Food and drink in Cardiff
Expect the usual high street bars and restaurants in Cardiff's city centre and Cardiff Bay, and explore our variety of independents including Curado, Bar 44 and Asador 44 - all favourites, all Spanish; Casanova for authentic, excellent Italian cuisine; and the Potted Pig in a former bank vault beneath street level. Pasture is best known for its steaks and has a small plates sister bar, Parallel. At Vermut they provide tasters to find the perfect vermouth for you while Lab 22 has a UK-wide reputation for cocktails or you can book the cool speakeasy, Dead Canary - our team will help you locate the secret entrance.
WALKING IN CARDIFF
If it's a wander through city parks that works for you, Cardiff is one of the UK's greenest cities. The Grade I-listed Bute Park - a must-visit with its arboretum and monuments plus regular events - was formerly the Victorian playground of Cardiff Castle, also well worth a visit, as is the nearby National Museum of Wales from where you can wander through Cathays Park and Alexandra Gardens. Alternatively, for a stunning countryside walk, on our doorstep (five minutes' drive) is the Grade II-listed historic Parc Cefn Onn and its Wildlife Explorer Trail. A 15-minute drive from us is historic Roath Park and its boating lake, swans, playgrounds, bowling green, free tennis courts, ice creams and café. For proper lungfuls of fresh mountain air, take a five-minute drive to the car park on Mountain Road for a 10.6km circular trail up Caerphilly Mountain expect views, wildlife, woodland, fields and streams.
