Things to see and do Cardiff (Caerdydd)

The origins of this architectural treasure lie in a Roman fort built over 2,000 years ago. The Romans had erected fortifications to make Cardiff a naval base and trading post. In the ^11th century, the Normans used the Roman walls as foundations to build their own fortress. And finally, after several changes of ownership, in the ^18th century Cardiff Castle became the property of Wales' best-known family, the Bute family. At the end of the ^19th century, the third Marquess of Bute, reputed to be the richest man in Europe at the time, reinvented Cardiff Castle with the help of architect William Burges (1827-1881). The combination of these two men, a young polyglot with a passion for the natural sciences and an extravagant architect with a love of the Middle Ages, led to the creation of a castle unlike any other in the area. The style is marked by medieval characteristics, with an abundance of gold, raspberry and duck blue, a mix of genres and inscriptions in Greek, Hebrew and Latin. The nursery, whose tiled walls illustrate thirty children's stories, from Robin Hood to Sleeping Beauty, is a marvel. Each room has a different style; from the patio, a pale copy of Pompeii, to the winter salon, the only constant is the repetition of images and paintings of parrots, Burges' favorite animal. Discover these wonders on a guided tour, which we strongly recommend you take.

Built for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, on the site of the old Arms Park sports arena, this is a mythical stadium for the Welsh! Imposing and modern, it is the second largest stadium in the world to feature a fully retractable roof. Since January^1, 2016, and for the next ten years, the Millennium Stadium has been renamed Principality Stadium, after the Cardiff-based Principality Building Society. The Welsh rugby union has signed a naming contract (a kind of sponsorship) worth £15 million. This huge modern saucer can accommodate up to 74,500 spectators!
Rugby matches are the most impressive international events. You've got to see Cardiff on the day of a national rugby team match! You can feel the Welsh fervor in the streets as the day progresses. There are also soccer matches, motorcycle rallies, car races and concerts that attract huge crowds. The program is extensive and exhaustive. It is published on the stadium's website.

Visit Principality Stadium: home of the "Red Devils". It's possible (and highly recommended!) to explore this magnificent stadium, one of the most impressive icons of modern Wales, with a visit to the press conference room, VIP lounge, changing rooms, players' tunnel to the "sacred turf"... Impressive!

This huge shopping and leisure area of Mermaid Quay (14,000 ^m2) is one of the spearheads of the new image of Cardiff Harbour. A symbol of the refurbishment of the dock area, opened in 1999, it now offers a wide range of shops, restaurants, cafes and services. Many of the centre's restaurants, such as Las Iguanas and Bill's, are also located here. And if you are ever in search of a good hairdresser or barber, Ken Picton's salon is very well known!

With a wealth of permanent collections dedicated to fine arts, contemporary art and decorative arts, the Cardiff National Museum also offers the opportunity to explore the country through its natural history. The visit is a real delight for young and old alike. And free admission is a good argument for wasting a few hours, especially if the weather is rainy.

National Museum of Natural History. On the ground floor is a spectacular botanical, zoological and geological department. Reconstituted natural landscapes, stuffed animals, herbaria and interactive maps show the genesis of the Welsh landscape. The huge skeleton of a humpback whale and the world's largest leatherback turtle will impress the whole family.

National Museum of Art. On the ^first floor, the National Museum of Cardiff also stands out for its very rich collection of works of art from all over the world. The Italian school is well represented, with Botticelli or Tiepolo. Then came Richard Wilson, Thomas Jones and Sir William Goscombe John for the local stamp. Finally, an interesting impressionist collection: Landscape in Auvers under the rain of Van Gogh, painted a few weeks before his death, Cézanne, Les Parisiennes de Renoir, Pissaro, Sisley or even Boudin, Braque, Derain, Vlaminck, Max Ernst and Magritte testify to the eclecticism of the Conservatives' good taste.

The sculpture section is not to be outdone since a copy of Rodin's Baiser and some of the sculptor's originals are on display.

Dominating an impressive 12-hectare site, this castle is the most imposing in the country and the second largest in Britain, after Windsor. It is the perfect example of a medieval castle: crenellated towers, drawbridge, keeps... Built on the remains of a Roman fort and the ruins of a Norman fort, the castle was erected in the ^13th century by the Anglo-Norman lord Gilbert de Clare for defensive purposes: to protect himself from Llywelyn the Great. However, Llywelyn the Great succeeded in destroying a large part of the castle, and the English quickly rebuilt it.

In the small village of Tongwynlais stands the neo-Gothic style Coch Castle with its pointed roofs. In the middle of the woods, Castell Coch is the result of a whim of the architect William Burges who transformed the ruins of a 13th century building into a magical castle worthy of Walt Disney's most beautiful films.

Castell Coch was the summer residence of the wealthy Bute family, who also owned Cardiff Castle. The massive towers with their conical roofs house exuberant apartments, decorated with decor inspired by nature, legends and mythology.

With 3.5 hectares of vineyards, Llanerch is one of the largest wine estates in Wales, which also includes walking trails, a lake and a multitude of plants and animals. You can round off your visit with a wine tasting, including the award-winning "Cariad" ("love" in Welsh). The estate also offers accommodation, a restaurant, a bistro and cooking classes. Throughout the year, the winery offers guided tours followed by wine tasting; check the schedule on their website.

This beautiful red brick building in Gothic style was built in 1897. It became the administrative centre of Cardiff Harbour in 1947. Since 2010, it is a venue for events and conferences open to the public. It is also a museum whose objective is to provide an understanding of the history of the country and Cardiff Bay. From the golden age of its port, linked to the export of iron ore and coal in the 19th century, through the crises of the 1920s and 1950s, to the renewal of the city undertaken since the 1980s.

The venue has three galleries dedicated to contemporary art with paintings, sculptures and photographs by current Welsh artists. To encourage artistic creation, St. David's Hall awards an annual prize to the "Welsh Artist of the Year". Otherwise, there are many performances here, the programming is interesting and extremely varied. From music shows, cinema, film concerts, sporting events, theatre... there's something for everyone. Ideal for discovering Welsh talent!

This Anglican church is Cardiff's oldest building. The first thing you notice is its finely decorated tower, topped with pinnacles and eleven bells! The social function that the Welsh Church has always wanted to have is at work here. The organ is rung several times a week at lunchtime, and free evening concerts are organized, the program for which is posted to the right of the main entrance door.

The church also houses its own tea room.

Want to find out what it's like to present the news? Dive into the heart of one of the world's biggest news channels and discover the secrets behind the TV sets. On this tour of the television and radio studios, you'll discover the hidden side of BBC program-making. In one of the BBC's largest newsrooms, equipped with cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality and robotic cameras. An original visit well worth the detour!

The architecture of this concert hall is unprecedented, with its combination of metal, wood, glass and slate. Its façade is composed of words, in Welsh on the left ("Creu Gwir Fel Gwydr O Ffwrnais Awen") and English on the right ("In These Stones Horizons Sing"), forming a verse written for the occasion by Gwyneth Lewis, the great Welsh poet born in Cardiff in 1959. To give you an idea of the translation, it would be "In these stones, horizons sing". Featuring a vast auditorium with ideal acoustics, it can accommodate both opera and theater.

It is the largest scientific and technological discovery centre in Great Britain. It makes science attractive and accessible to the youngest audience through experiments, exhibitions and performances. The topics covered are vast, from fossils to forensic techniques! It is an opportunity to discover a planetarium and the best of the hologram genre. An unmissable if you have time or if it rains, which appeals to children as much as to adults. We recommend it to you!

A 16th century Tudor-style mansion transformed into a museum, which offers a fabulous journey through time in a very playful way. Be aware that the place is haunted and that ghost watching sessions are organized there! Do not trust its peaceful landscape... which hides a history marked by war. According to legend, many ghosts lurk within the walls of the mansion, and paranormal phenomena such as the appearance of ghosts or smells of food spreading for no apparent reason.

This sandstone and brick churchstands on a small hill on the corner of Conway Road, which makes it all the more proud. Built between 1869 and 1871, it is now the largest surviving Methodist church in Cardiff. The church was originally built to accommodate the many Methodist families who were relocated from the port. Its large red doors make it impossible to miss if you are walking through this peaceful area.

Internationally renowned artist for his breathtaking anamorphoses in situ, Felice Varini invites us to experience it at the site of the Cardiff Bay Dam. First, we notice, in various places, thin segments of yellow paint. Seen from a certain angle (it is up to you to find out which one!), these scattered fragments are then recomposed in the form of three interlocking circles, called "Three Ellispes for Three Locks". This Swiss artist has also worked extensively in France, from the gardens of the Château de Versailles to Marseille.

The Senedd (pronounced "Senn-eth") is the seat of the National Assembly for Wales. The National Assembly was formed in 1999, following the 1997 referendum on decentralization. While in 1997, more than 50% were in favour, in 1979, 80% of voters voted no in the same referendum. This second vote represents a significant step in the history of the devolution of power that goes back several centuries.

Since its inauguration in 2006, it has become one of the most symbolic buildings in the country. It is a model of ecology and transparency, designed by architect Richard Rogers. It features glass walls and highlights renewable energies. For example, ventilation is natural and collected rainwater is used to supply the toilets. Its beautiful wooden roof, reminiscent of wave movement, is made from sustainably managed red cedar from British Columbia's forests and South Wales steel.

The stands (on the ground floor) are open to the public: you can attend a plenary session attended by all sixty Members of the Assembly. Don't worry, headphones are available to listen to the English translation of any debate in Welsh. An opportunity to immerse yourself in Welsh politics!

From 1999 to the opening of the Senedd in 2006, the Assembly's plenary sessions were held at Crickhowell House (behind the Senedd)

The Norwegian church was built in 1808 by Herman Lunde, one of the many Scandinavian sailors who came to Cardiff for coal supplies. Originally located on Bute West Dock, it was moved and restored by the association chaired by Cardiff-born children's author Roald Dahl, who was baptized in the church in 1916. Today, the church houses an art and exhibition center, as well as a pleasant café overlooking Cardiff Bay.

This museum is dedicated to the history of Cardiff, or how the small 14th century merchant town became one of the largest ports in the world in the 1900s. There is a large exhibition on the ground floor with objects, interactive presentations and some paintings. In the basement, the museum section is more dedicated to children. The "Old Library" also houses a local handicraft shop and a café on the ^1st floor. Regularly, temporary exhibitions enrich the visit. Do not hesitate to check their website.

This 53-hectare park, the green heart of the capital, stretches behind Cardiff Castle. The arboretum, which is freely accessible, is home to some exceptional trees, including the largest and widest of certain categories in the British Isles.

Bute Park Education Centre : a place to learn all about the park. Trails, activities and maps are available.

The Secret Garden Café : close to the Bute Park Education Centre, it has a quiet courtyard, a terrace overlooking the climbing roses, and good food.