| Cardiff
was settled in Roman Times when a small village grew up around
a fort near the river Taff. The community consisted mainly
of farmers and fishermen until the end of the 18th century.
In 1794 developments in the town started to
progress with construction commencing on a canal linking Cardiff
with Merthyr Tydfil – the largest town in the country
at the time. The first dock was built in 1839, with the onset
of the industrial revolution, the port grew in size and was
soon one of the busiest in the world.
In 1955, Cardiff was proclaimed the capital
of Wales, which resulted in many governmental and financial
institutions and headquarters moving to the city. Today the
city is full of optimism with many rejuvenation projects centered
on the old dock areas.
CARDIFF ATTRACTIONS
Cardiff Castle – A fascinating collection
of buildings that date back to Roman times. A guided tour
takes in the clock tower, the Winter and Summer Smoking Rooms,
the Batchelor’s Bedroom, the Nursery, the Arab Room
and Banqueting Hall. Open daily, this is a must for anyone
interested in history and medieval architecture.
National Museum of Wales – One of the
best in Britain, this museum attempts to reflect the nation’s
place in the world as well as tell the story of its past.
Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 5pm.
Welsh Industrial and Maritime Museum –
The buildings that comprise this excellent museum were built
around the ships and engines they exhibit. The history of
Welsh mining and shipping is told using videos, photographs
and exhibits. Open Tuesday to Sundays from 10am to 5pm.
CARDIFF RESTAURANTS
Gilby’s Restaurant - Old Port Road,
Culverhouse Cross. A good quality seafood restaurant set in
a building that was a barn many years ago. The old world feel
has been retained with stone walls and tapestries. The menu
is varied, the prices are reasonable and the service is excellent.
Closed Mondays.
The Harvester - Set in the style of an old
farmhouse this place has an excellent menu including a variety
of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. If you arrive before
6.30pm you get a third off your meal, although the prices
are so reasonable that this may not be necessary.
Le Monde - St Mary’s Street. In this
fabulous restaurant there are no menus, you select your meat
or fish from a display behind glass and it is cut and prepared
for cooking in front of you. The prices are high but then,
so is the quality.
Cardiff is a city of arcades. Many of the
shops in the center of the city are housed in the arcades,
which provide excellent shelter from the weather. Here you
can buy just about anything. Cardiff boasts the oldest music
shop in the world – it has been trading since 1894 –
before recorded music existed – at that time it sold
sheet music.
Essential
Tips for Holidays in Wales | Holidays
in Cardiff | Welsh
Food and Drink | Neath
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The
City by The Sea - Swansea |
