What to do in.....Cardiff

Embrace Welsh cuisine

You might be left scratching your head when it comes to conjuring up Welsh cuisine, but it’s far more interesting than you might think. First and foremost, eat all the Welsh cakes that you can; it took me many years to realise they’re rarely found outside of Wales. If you haven’t tried them before, they’re a bit like scones; but better. They’re best served warm so head to the indoor market; and you can find other local delicacies such as Welsh Rarebit and Bara Brith here too. Nibble whilst exploring the rest of the market stands, there’s plenty to see and buy!

Step into history

Wales is famous for its castles, and you need not go any further than Cardiff city centre to explore incredible gothic architecture. Journey through ornate, differently themed rooms at Cardiff Castle; curated as they would have been in the 18^th and 19^th centuries when William Burges redesigned them. And don’t miss the rooftop garden! The grounds and surrounding Bute park are beautiful to walk around in and stop for a picnic on the grass - weather depending of course, this is Wales after all.

Make time for tea

There are some great tea shops in Cardiff. My two favourites are Barker Tea and Waterloo Tea. They both serve quite the variety of speciality teas and their interiors are simply to die for. The Waterloo Tea shop in the city centre has a bit of a Scandinavian chic vibe going on with minimal furniture and their trademark orange giving bursts of colour here and there. Barker has a bit more of a traditional look, but in that modern and quirky way that is ever popular these days.

Stroll the Bay and see a play

I’ve spent many summer afternoons strolling along Cardiff Bay, grabbing an ice cream and soaking up the sunshine. The area has seen plenty of redevelopment over the last few years, and is an absolute must-visit for any Cardiff tourist. It’s a fantastic place to get some dinner; with so many restaurants to choose from you’re rather spoiled for choice!

After some delicious food, you can head over to the Wales Millennium Centre to catch a show. You’ll also be able to view the Grade I listed Pierhead building, and perhaps you could book a tour of the Welsh Assembly building, or wow any little ones at the Techniquest science museum, all within walking distance. Depending on when you go, there are often festivals and markets around to browse and enjoy too.