Cardiff Attractions

The National Museum of Wales was founded in 1907 to "tell the world about Wales, and the Welsh about their own country". It contains important early Christian material, archaeological collections, exhibits illustrating the development of industry, and pre-industrial crafts and implements.

Boulders is an Indoor Climbing Centre in Cardiff that offers a facility where children can try climbing and keep fit through climbing. There are school holiday activities every half term and end of term break. The focus is on having fun in a family safe environment.

Below Castle Bridge, on the river, is the Cardiff Arms Park National Rugby Stadium, where international and club matches take place.

Since the beginning of the 1990s almost 2700acres/1100ha of former dockland have been redeveloped, creating housing, offices, restaurants, theaters, sports grounds and parks.

Cardiff has a puppet theater, the Caricature Theatre, located in Station Terrace.

Castell Coch is an enchanting mixture of Victorian Gothic fantasy and fairytale. It features rounded towers and turrets, and impressive murals depicting Aesop's fables.

Another of the 'Sham' castles, this fantasy Medieval castle was actually constructed near the end of the 19th century. A tremendous amount of detail was put into it by its creators, the third Marquess of Bute and William Burges. Rich decorations house the interior, including details of the saints, Aesop's fables and many animals.

The imposing Cardiff Civic Center was the first of its kind in Britain. Among the public buildings ranged around Cathays Park are the neo-Baroque City Hall (1904), with a bell tower and a dome crowned by the Welsh dragon. The Marble Hall is decorated with historical figures from the story of Wales. In the center of the complex is a War Memorial. Other buildings in the Civic Center include the University College of South Wales, the Law Courts and many government offices.

In Greyfriars Road can be seen the foundations of Greyfriars Church (1280) and the ruins of a mansion built on the site of the friary after the Reformation.

Llandaff Cathedral was founded in the time of Bishop Urban (1107-34). The main part of the Cathedral dates from the 13th century; the northwest tower was rebuilt in the 15th century. Later the whole Cathedral fell into a dilapidated state, and in 1734 an "Italian temple" was built within its walls by John Wood of Bath.

The Cathedral was severely damaged during the last war (1941), but has since been restored. It contains a notable figure of "Christ in Majesty" by Epstein.

The Millenium Stadium, at Cardiff Arms Park, boasts a retractable roof, and the "Rugby Experience" museum.

From the lost gardens of Middleton Hall the National Botanical Garden of Wales are being created. The garden has the world's only sing-span glass house.

The New Theater is Cardiff's municipal theater.

Along the coast between Cardiff and Swansea are a number of small seaside resorts. Nearest to Cardiff (5mi/8km south) - indeed almost a suburb of the city - is Penarth (pop. 22,500), which has a shingle beach and offers excellent facilities for water skiing, sailing and fishing, as well as wide scope for attractive cliff walks. One such walk leads south to secluded Ranny Bay, St Mary's Well Bay at Lavernock and on to Sully.

Cardiff is well supplied with good shops. Queen Street is the busiest pedestrian precinct in Wales.

The Sherman Theatre in Senghenydd Road is one of Cardiff's main theaters.

Queen Street is the site of St David's Hall, a conference center accommodating up to 2,000 people.

Sully is a popular resort, with a sandy beach and cliffs. Sully's offshore island can be reached on foot at low tide.

Techniquest offers visitors the opportunity for some "hands on" experience of science and technology today.

Techniquest, in Cardiff, features a Planetarium, Science Theatre and Discovery Room that will provide hours of entertainment to people of all ages.