Sheila’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Barry Island – you can take a train from Cardiff Central (approx.. 30mins) or bus (No. 95 – approx. 1hr) from outside the Philharmonic in the town centre. From the main beach, walk to the left and you will come to a smaller more secluded beach, Jackson’s Bay.
87 locals recommend
Barry Island
Barry Island – you can take a train from Cardiff Central (approx.. 30mins) or bus (No. 95 – approx. 1hr) from outside the Philharmonic in the town centre. From the main beach, walk to the left and you will come to a smaller more secluded beach, Jackson’s Bay.
Penarth Pier stands majestically looking out over the Severn estuary and is home to the iconic 1929 art deco styled refurbished Pavilion building.
https://www.visitthevale.com/attractions/penarth-pier-and-pavilion
75 locals recommend
Penarth Pier Pavilion
The EsplanadePenarth Pier stands majestically looking out over the Severn estuary and is home to the iconic 1929 art deco styled refurbished Pavilion building.
https://www.visitthevale.com/attractions/penarth-pier-and-pavilion
https://www.cardiffbay.co.uk/
River Boat from Bute Park to Cardiff Bay
Glee Comedy Club at Cardiff Bay
There are a number of restaurants at the Bay and it is nice to have a wander around (Pizza Express, Zizzi, Nandos, Las Iguanas, Cosy Club, Wagamama, Cote Brasserie, Bill’s)
Walk across the Barrage from Cardiff Bay to Penarth (it is a bit of a hike uphill to get to the town centre once you have crossed the Barrage. You can take the train back to Cardiff Central)
215 locals recommend
Cardiff Bay
Bute Streethttps://www.cardiffbay.co.uk/
River Boat from Bute Park to Cardiff Bay
Glee Comedy Club at Cardiff Bay
There are a number of restaurants at the Bay and it is nice to have a wander around (Pizza Express, Zizzi, Nandos, Las Iguanas, Cosy Club, Wagamama, Cote Brasserie, Bill’s)
Walk across the Barrage from Cardiff Bay to Penarth (it is a bit of a hike uphill to get to the town centre once you have crossed the Barrage. You can take the train back to Cardiff Central)
Cardiff Castle
Castle Sthttps://www.cardiffcastle.com/
https://bute-park.com/
Gorgeous park in the city centre - circular walks, or hire a bike and head out on the Taff Trail. The Secret Garden is a nice spot for coffee and cake.
181 locals recommend
Bute Park
North Roadhttps://bute-park.com/
Gorgeous park in the city centre - circular walks, or hire a bike and head out on the Taff Trail. The Secret Garden is a nice spot for coffee and cake.
Museums
St. Fagan’s National Museum of History: https://museum.wales/stfagans/
328 locals recommend
St Fagans National Museum of History
St. Fagan’s National Museum of History: https://museum.wales/stfagans/
National Museum Cardiff (excellent collection of French impressionist art): https://museum.wales/cardiff/
221 locals recommend
National Museum Cardiff
National Museum Cardiff (excellent collection of French impressionist art): https://museum.wales/cardiff/
Places nearby
https://www.outdoorcardiff.com/parks/roath-park/
Roath Recreation Park is about 10 minutes away by car or 25 minutes on foot. You can park for 2 hours for free and do a loop walk up to Roath Park Lake.
146 locals recommend
Roath Park
Lake Road Westhttps://www.outdoorcardiff.com/parks/roath-park/
Roath Recreation Park is about 10 minutes away by car or 25 minutes on foot. You can park for 2 hours for free and do a loop walk up to Roath Park Lake.
Cardiff City Centre
You can find a good selection of pubs and bars including Brewdog, City Arms, the Pen and Wig (great beer garden), Tiny Rebel, and the Cambrian Tap for fans of ale, and Rum and Fizz/Gin and Juice for great cocktails, though they can be very busy with long waits for drinks.
Restaurants include Café Citta, Cosy Club, The Potted Pig, Curado (tapas) or Bar 44 (tapas), Bill’s, The Ivy, The Real Italian Pizza Company, Pasture. For most, if not all, you will need to make a reservation well in advance.
For a nice coffee, I would recommend Brodie’s – kiosk in Gorsedd Gardens, Big Moose Coffee, Little Man Coffee and Coffee No 1 (chain).
Cardiff Market is a great place to visit with the ‘as seen on TV’ Ffwrnes Pizza and Hard Lines Market for coffee.
You can find an array of coffee/tea shops in the Arcades https://thecityofarcades.com/ - these are lovely to wander around if the weather isn’t great.
12 locals recommend
City Centre
You can find a good selection of pubs and bars including Brewdog, City Arms, the Pen and Wig (great beer garden), Tiny Rebel, and the Cambrian Tap for fans of ale, and Rum and Fizz/Gin and Juice for great cocktails, though they can be very busy with long waits for drinks.
Restaurants include Café Citta, Cosy Club, The Potted Pig, Curado (tapas) or Bar 44 (tapas), Bill’s, The Ivy, The Real Italian Pizza Company, Pasture. For most, if not all, you will need to make a reservation well in advance.
For a nice coffee, I would recommend Brodie’s – kiosk in Gorsedd Gardens, Big Moose Coffee, Little Man Coffee and Coffee No 1 (chain).
Cardiff Market is a great place to visit with the ‘as seen on TV’ Ffwrnes Pizza and Hard Lines Market for coffee.
You can find an array of coffee/tea shops in the Arcades https://thecityofarcades.com/ - these are lovely to wander around if the weather isn’t great.
Food and drink nearby
There are two pubs nearby which are OK, The Royal Oak (10mins walk) and the Four Elms (15mins walk) – the latter has a great beer garden, serves food and has a great selection of ales.
There are some nice places to eat near Albany Road/Wellfield Road. You would need to walk (approx. 25 mins) or drive (approx. 5-10 mins) there. These include Juno Lounge (Vegan menu available), Cameo Club, Saraztro and Sushi Life. There is also a good fish and chip shop – The Wellfield.
For a huge variety of international food, go to City Road – recommended places include: Eartha (vegetarian/vegan), Afrikana, Giardini Di Sorrento, and Saray.
The Four Elms - J W Bassett Pub
1 Elm StThere are two pubs nearby which are OK, The Royal Oak (10mins walk) and the Four Elms (15mins walk) – the latter has a great beer garden, serves food and has a great selection of ales.
There are some nice places to eat near Albany Road/Wellfield Road. You would need to walk (approx. 25 mins) or drive (approx. 5-10 mins) there. These include Juno Lounge (Vegan menu available), Cameo Club, Saraztro and Sushi Life. There is also a good fish and chip shop – The Wellfield.
For a huge variety of international food, go to City Road – recommended places include: Eartha (vegetarian/vegan), Afrikana, Giardini Di Sorrento, and Saray.
City advice
Getting around
Cardiff city centre is @30-min walk, or 12-15 by bus.
It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the house to Queen Street. Alternatively, you can catch the bus (No. 11 timetable and route available here: https://www.cardiffbus.com/services/CB/11) from Splott Road (by junction of Walker Road and Courtenay Road). This takes about 12 minutes depending on traffic and runs approximately every 15 minutes. Download the Cardiff Bus app for more information and to buy passes. Day pass is £3.80/3 day pass is £10.40. Or pay by debit card as you get on (£2 single/£4 day pass).
Or for convenience, you can call a taxi or Uber. Dragon Taxis: 02920 333333.