By Nerys Lloyd-Pierce
There are many reasons to visit Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan but here are the top 10.
Culture
The Wales Millennium Centre is a lively arts village in its own right. Home to world-renowned Welsh National Opera, visiting West End musicals and eight other organisations, including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
Explore Cardiff Bay
Sport
It’s the spiritual home of Welsh rugby, the scene of two Six Nations Grand Slam triumphs.
Shopping
The city’s network of Victorian and Edwardian arcades have helped Cardiff build a reputation as one of the UK’s top shopping destinations, and houses dozens of independent shops, restaurants and cafes. The arcades are also delightful architecturally.
Days out
The Glamorgan Heritage Coast is the perfect place for a day out whether you want to walk the stunning coast path, indulge in a spot of surfing, or simply chill out on the beach and have a swim. Summer or winter, the jagged cliff scenery is awe inspiring.
Fantastic pubs
The Vale of Glamorgan has more than its fair share of fabulous pubs with roaring log fires, great beer gardens, excellent food, and lovely locations in which to relax and get away from it all.
Indulge in a pint in a cosy Welsh pub
Nature
Cardiff’s own unique island of Flat Holm, out in the Bristol Channel, has a wealth of history and wildlife and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Local Nature Reserve. Marconi also made his first radio transmission over open sea from the island.
Heritage
Cardiff Castle presents a fairy-tale presence, right in the heart of the city, overlooking the main shopping centres.
Learn all about the history behind Cardiff Castle
Architecture
The National History Museum at St. Fagans is home to a variety of historic buildings from across Wales – all of which were taken apart brick by brick and carefully reconstructed in the museum to present a view of life in Wales over the last 500 years.
Art
The National Museum, Cardiff houses one of the finest collections of Impressionist works outside Paris – bequeathed to the nation by two wealthy Welsh sisters, Gwendoline and Margaret Davies.
Take a trip to the National Museum and Gallery of Wales
Music
Officially the oldest record store in the world, Spillers Records has been a fixture in Cardiff since 1894.
Read more about Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan
