Cardiff overview
People live in Cardiff for many reasons. As the capital of Wales, it is a major centre of commerce, business, media and politics, the latter coming since devolution via the Welsh Assembly. As a result, Cardiff today is a blossoming city, with the redevelopment of Cardiff bay epitomising its revival. The population is over 300,000 and the cityscape is given frequent TV exposure as the backdrop for Doctor Who and its spin-off series Torchwood.
Top attractions
- Cardiff Castle - like most castles in Wales, Cardiff castle was not actually built by the Welsh, being a Norman construction on the site of two previous Roman forts. In Victorian times it was remodelled as a Victorian mansion. Visitors can see details from all three structures. Open on all but the bank holidays of the Christmas and New Year period
- National Museum and Gallery of Wales - two attractions in one as art lovers can enjoy a wide collection of paintings and sculptures while the natural and human histories of Wales can be discovered in huge detail going back into the mists of time
- The Senedd - one of the landmark buildings of Cardiff Bay, the Senedd is the main building for the national assembly. As well as housing Welsh politicians, it is open to the public, who can admire the architecture and enjoy exhibitions and shows when the elected members are not using it
- Wales Millennium Centre - opened in 2004, the centre provides Cardiff with a major venue for the performing arts, offering a large variety of entertainment including opera, comedy and music
- Sport - as the nation's capital Cardiff gets to host a wide range of sporting events, with the state-of-the-art Millennium Stadium staging Welsh rugby and football internationals, plus major boxing events. Cardiff Rugby club plays next door. Cardiff City is the city's football club and cricket fans can not only enjoy watching Glamorgan play county cricket, but from next summer can see the Swalec Stadium at Sophia Gardens host Test cricket as England take on Australia in the Ashes
- Cardiff bay nightlife - as might be expected, Cardiff's redeveloped bay has a wide range of eateries, bars and entertainment facilities
How to get around
- By Rail - Cardiff's Central and Queen Street stations are the major hubs for the region, serving both near and distant destinations. The city itself has an extensive rail network, with a number of lines spreading out from the city towards the valleys and other towns and cities on the Bristol Channel coast
- Buses - Buses form a major part of the local transport network as the city has no tram or underground system to supplement the railways
- Air - Cardiff has its own small international airport, with a direct rail link from the city
- Motorways - Cardiff is served by the M4, which heads east-west across to London, providing easy access to and from Bristol, Swindon and Reading along the way
Living in Cardiff
- Universities - The University of Wales Cardiff was founded in 1893, the start of university education in Wales. It is ranked 29th in the Times Good University Guide. Other higher education institutions include the University of Glamorgan - which has a campus in the city, the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, plus the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
- Major hospitals - Cardiff is covered by the Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, with main hospitals including Cardiff Royal Infirmary, The University Hospital of Wales and St David's Hospital
- History - Although founded by the Romans when the fort was built in the first century, Cardiff's history is largely that of a small town, built around the castle and developing into a port, but not a major town until its rapid expansion began in the 19th century. It was awarded city status in 1905 and like many cities suffered bomb damage in WWII and industrial decline in the later years of the 20th century. But the redevelopment work that has taken place in recent years around the city centre and the establishment of the city as a base of Welsh political power have given it a new confidence and importance. However, the political aspect is not without irony, as Cardiff's electors voted against devolution in the 1997 referendum.
- Culture - Although it is the capital of Wales, Cardiff is far from the Welsh speaking heartlands of western and northern Wales. Attempts are being made to alter this, with the bilingual signs complemented by provisions in the law since devolution that all services throughout Wales should be provided in the language. The city has a rivalry with Swansea and - to a lesser extent - Bristol, particularly in sporting contests
Property in Cardiff
At the time of the 2001 Census, Cardiff had over 127,000 dwellings, a number that is likely to have risen since then along with the population (which at the time was 292,000). As with many cities, there are terraced houses in the inner city and more family homes further out, while like most cities a substantial number of apartments have been built in the central parts of the city in recent years. Rightmove's website lists 89 estate agents in Cardiff.
Dates for the Diary
- The six nations - feel the hairs stand on the back of your neck as the crowd belts out Land of my Fathers and the men in red take on Europe's finest at rugby union every autumn
- International cricket - from next summer the Swalec Stadium will not only host limited-overs internationals, but will see its first Test match take place when the visitors are the mighty Australia, whose previous visit saw them suffer a humiliating defeat at the hands of Bangladesh
- The Great British Cheese festival - if it wasn't enough for Wales to have Britain's smallest house and longest place name, it now has the biggest event for cheese lovers, held every September and now permanently hosted by Cardiff at the castle
- Cardiff half marathon - held every October, crowds of fit people and those who wish they had trained more and eaten less take to the streets to run for the challenge, fun, or charity
- St David's Day - March 1st is the time to get out the leeks, daffodils and flags as the day of Wales's patron saint is marked with parades and bunting
- Theatre and Opera at the Millennium Centre - a regular supply of shows come to the centre, meaning something to suit any and every taste will never be far away