Cardiff Bay - Cardiff Bay

The Cardiff Bay is a district in the south of Cardiff. The area is considered to be one of the most successful redevelopment projects in the UK. It includes the former port and docks.

background

From the 1830s onwards, tons of coal and iron from the South Welsh valleys came to Cardiff by rail and were brought to the docks. The docks were built in 1839 by the Bute family, who also owned the coal fields. Shortly thereafter, the city became the center of the thriving industry. For more than 150 years, Cardiff Bay, then Tiger Bay, was the heart of Cardiff's business location and the largest transshipment point for coal and iron in the world. The population rose from around 2,000 in 1800 to 200,000 in 1900. The second half of the 20th century was marked by economic decline. The once proud docks were neglected and fell into disrepair. It wasn't until the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation was founded in 1988 and work began on renovating the area that there was an upturn. The Cardiff Bay Barrage was built in 1999, separating the bay from the tidal mouth of the River Severn. As a result, the muddy surfaces disappeared and a fresh water lake was created. Today Cardiff Bay is a modern residential area with cultural, leisure and sports facilities.

getting there

More detailed information on how to get there is in the article Cardiff to find.

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By train

Cardiff Bay Railway Station is 500 m from the docks. The trains are from Arriva Trains Wales operated. Regular connections to Cardiff Queen Street Railway Station.

With the boat

With Cardiff Waterbus from Bute Park (Cardiff city center / Cardiff Castle) to Cardiff Bay, Mermaid Quay (approx. £ 3.00 one way)

By bicycle

The bike path Taff Trail starts at Mermaid Quay and runs 55 miles / 88 km through the city center to Brecon.

Tourist Attractions

Visitor Center

Cardiff Bay Visitor Center (in the foyer of the Wales Millenium Center), tel: 029/20877927, opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Wales Millennium Center

The building with the characteristic golden roof and slate facade is one of the well-known structures of the modern Cardiff. It was opened in 2004, a little late for its name, and is now the cultural center of the city. Among other things, the Welsh National Opera is at home here.

The Senedd

The building was constructed between 2001 and 2006. It is the seat of the National Council of Wales.

Both the Wales Millennium Center and The Senedd can be visited on a guided tour. Both offer a beautiful view over the bay.

Norwegian Church Arts Center

Construction of the church began in 1868 and was expanded to its present form by 1894. The museum also deals with one of the city's most famous sons, children's author Roald Dahl. The author was born in Cardiff in 1916 to Norwegian timber merchants. He was baptized in the church and lived in the city until he was 12 years old. A small exhibition is dedicated to him. The building also serves as a cozy café and exhibition space for contemporary artists.

Pierhead Building

The neo-Gothic brick building was built in 1897 by the Marquis of Bute. Originally it was the seat of the Cardiff Railway Company, later that of the Port Authority. This has been the case since 2011 Pierhead Building used as an event and exhibition space.

Coal Exchange

Cardiff Bay Barrage

The dam, which is the centerpiece of the Cardiff Bay Project, is about 1 km long. It now separates the bay in which the port facilities were once located from the open sea. A large artificial lake was created with a shore almost 13 km long. Three locks provide access to the sea.

Museums

  • Techniquest, Stuart Street. Tel.: 44 (0) 29 20475475. Open: Tuesday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (during school hours), weekends 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Price: ₤ 7.00 (children ₤ 5.00).

activities

see also Cardiff

Boat tours

The following companies offer trips in the bay:

  • Cardiff Waterbus, Pier Head, Cardiff Bay. Tel.: 44 (0) 7940142409. Cruises between Cardiff Bay and the Barrage in Penarth.Open: about every 40 minutes. The journey takes 15 minutes.Price: single journey ₤ 3.00.
  • Aquabus, Cardiff Marina, Watkiss Way. Tel.: 44 (0)29 20345163, Email: . Cruises are available in Cardiff Bay, the Taff and Ely Rivers and the Barrage Embankment.Open: For timetable see website.

walks

  • in the Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve (near Mermaid Quay). The nature reserve covers approx. 8 hectares and was opened in 2002. The area is accessible via a footpath that leads from the St. David's Hotel to the Yacht Club on the Taff River. A jetty extends into the bay and offers a beautiful view of the nature reserve. Various birds, insects, fish and plants live here.

Sports

Culture

trips

The old seaside resort is on the other side of Cardiff Bay Penarth.

How to get there: By train from Cardiff, by Waterbus (Water Bus Stop Barrage South), 92, 93 and 94 buses (from downtown Cardiff) or on foot across the causeway.

Penarth, which is a preferred residence for the elderly, has many houses and mansions from the Victorian and Edwardian periods. The Alexandra Garden extends down the hill to the esplanade. Penarth Pier opened in 1895, and in 1930 the entrance pavilion was built in the Art Deco style. It protrudes about 200 m into the Bristol Channel.

  • Turner House Gallery, Plymouth Road, Penarth. Tel.: 44 (0)29 20708870, Email: . Changing photo exhibitions, courses are also offered.Open: Tuesday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.Price: free entry.last change: Jan. 2013 (information may be out of date)
  • Oriel Washington Gallery, 1-3 Washington Buildings, Stanwell Road, Penarth. Tel.: 44 (0)29 20712100, Fax: 44 (0)29 20708047. In the gallery, which is housed in a former Art Nouveau cinema, contemporary art and handicrafts (pictures, glass, ceramics, jewelry and textile design) are shown.Open: Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Price: free entry.last change: Jan. 2013 (information may be out of date)

shop

kitchen

see also Cardiff

Cheap

medium

Upscale

nightlife

accommodation

see also under Cardiff

Cheap

medium

Upscale

Practical advice

  • Post Office Bute Docks, 110 Bute Street. Open: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Postcode CF 10

Area code: 029, from abroad 44 29

literature

Web links

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