Explorations of the great Welsh capital of Cardiff.
Cardiff, Wales, is an ancient city first settled during the Neolithic period. You wouldn’t notice this today, even the remains of the Roman fort are hard to find. Cardiff was transformed from a small town to a bustling city during the Industrial Revolution, built by coal. The power of the port has since fallen, but the city still lives on.
Day 24 was my first visit to the city of Cardiff. I returned 4.5 years later while on a four month long backpacking trip around Europe. Some of the photos are from my second visit. I had a much better camera then.
On Day 24, I started near Tenby and drove to Cardiff and explored there.
Stop 1: Llandaff Cathedral
My first stop coming into Cardiff was Llandaff Cathedral, located outside of the city center. Fate was determined to level the 13th century church. The cathedral’s tumultuous history includes damage from a rebellion in 1400, the English Civil War, the Great Storm of 1703 and then having the roof blown off during the Cardiff Blitz in 1941.
I somehow found parking on a side street (a service had just gotten out) and walked through the cathedral complex gates.
It was a very rainy day when I visited Llandaff Cathedral.
It was impossible to get a decent shot of the front of the church.
A lot of changes happened after the Blitz. I like the ceiling but I’m not so thrilled about whatever that is.
The cathedral has a bunch of cool old tombs.
Much better without that modern “art.”
I love the old knightly tombs that also serve as a divider of rooms.
Stop 2: Cardiff Castle
Now to move onto my favorite Cardiff attraction, Cardiff Castle. It started out as a normal Norman castle built on the ruins of an Ancient Roman fort. Lonely Planet suggested I take the tour, and it did not disappoint.
Normal Norman keep. It’s empty inside now though.
Later a Georgian manor house was built for Lord Bute, although his descendant, another Lord Bute changed it drastically.
A lovely Georgian manor house turned into this Victorian mess.
Lord Bute hired William Burges to design him a unique, fun place to live. Burges did not disappoint.
The epic Banquet Hall, still used for banquets today.
The Roof Garden, combination of Pompeii and Hebrew?
For more on this insane “castle” check out this post.
Stop 3: Wandering around the City Center
Cardiff Castle was my last scheduled stop of the day. I just wandered about after that. It was super rainy that day so I’m just going to show you pictures from my second visit.
One of the many buildings built during the Industrial Revolution.
They just don’t make buildings like that anymore. Such a shame!
A super cool Venetian-esque building. It would look right at home in Venice.
The pedestrian only zones of the town center were great.
Loving the Welsh flags.
The adorable entrance to the High Street Arcade.
Arcades were the first shopping malls.
Typical looking British High Street.
Fancy skinny building.
I love old fashioned pub fronts. Just so British!
Cardiff City Hall. Very fancy.
The National Museum Cardiff, a great museum dedicated to Wales.
One last stop in Cardiff, the port. Today, it is full of new buildings such as the Millennium Centre (in the photo), a shopping area and the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament.
My favorite building in the port is the Pierhead, now an exhibition and trade center. Gorgeous building.
Cardiff, Wales, is a perfect place to spend a day. Check out Llandaff Cathedral in the morning and then move on to the town center to see Cardiff Castle and the National Museum Cardiff, followed by the pier. Cardiff is also a perfect place to begin some more exploration of Wales.
Check out Day 25 of my Around Great Britain in 30 Days adventure where I visit Southeastern Wales.
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Start at the beginning of my 30 days around Great Britain!
