I can now cross the Welsh capital off my UK travel bucket list! This weekend trip was rather brief and superficial, but it did inspire a spontaneous post. By no means an extensive guide to the city – just a few memorable places. Enjoy!

Sculpture of human hands holding a rope, with modern buldings in the backgroundAll Hands by Brian Fell (2001)

Cardiff Castle

Arguably the top attraction the city has to offer. Built on foundations dating back to the 1st century, it wasn’t until the 1800s that the castle was given the shape and style we admire today. All thanks to the awfully rich 3rd Marquess of Bute who poured a fortune into it. Now it is majestically perched on top of a hill right in the middle of the city.

Castle with Welsh flag on a hill, against blue sky with grey clouds

Bute Park

The Bute Family was so influential that there is a number of places named in their honour. One of them is the Park – 130 acres of greenery, with numerous walking paths, playing fields, and River Taff snaking in the middle. There are over 20 sculptures by different artists dotted around, mostly using dead trees, and often depicting animals. My favourite one was the giant mole! You’ll also find cafés, cinema pods, and even wind chimes, so make sure you stop by to play a melody!

A shaded park alley with green trees on both sides and blue sky

Sculpture of a mole in a park with a real squirrel sitting on topSculpture by Chris Wood (2022)

Animal Wall

Technically part of Bute Park, the Wall has become an attraction in its own right. It pictures 15 animals, nine sculpted by Thomas Nicholls in the late 1880s and six by Alexander Carrick in the 1930s, sat atop the wall surrounding the park. Thoroughly cleaned and restored in 2010, the animals are now an eye-catching feature begging for photos.

Sculpture of a lioness sitting on top of a wall

Sculpture of a hyena sitting on top of a wall

Alexandra Gardens

Just a few minutes’ walk from Bute Park, you’ll find another green space, yet much smaller and of a different character. Originally called University Gardens, and later named after Alexandra of Denmark, this elegant park was planted exactly 120 years ago. It’s part of the Cathays Park civic centre and is surrounded by high-profile governmental and educational buildings.

Round structure with columns and statues in the middle, against blue sky, surrounded by greeneryWelsh National War Memorial

Bay Trail

Cardiff is blessed with its location on water. If you need a break from the city, walking the trail along the Cardiff Bay is just the right thing to do. You’ll probably want to start in Mermaid Quay, a lively place near the Millennium Centre. Don’t feel the pressure to do the whole 10 km stretch. I only walked as far as the Scott of the Antarctic installation (which I’ll be writing a separate post about). The trail is also home to a quirky sculpture/bench in the shape of the titular Enormous Crocodile from Roald Dahl’s children’s book. On my way back, I stopped by the Norwegian Church, an arts centre and café, for a much-needed coffee break.

Man standing in front of an outdoor exhibition

Sculpture of a crocodile, with a bay and blue cloudy sky in the backgroundCroc in the Dock (2016)

Shopping and Food

Two streets are somewhat of a hub for shopping in Cardiff. Right in the middle of Queen Street you’ll find St David’s (Dewi Sant), one of the largest shopping centres in the UK. On its eastern end, there’s the Capitol, focused on fashion and food. Running south from the Castle gate is High Street, home to Victorian-era hubs Cardiff Market, Royal Arcade and Morgan Quarter. The latter houses Spillers Records, the oldest record shop in the world! Which I sadly didn’t get to visit because I missed the opening times…

People walking in a busy shopping streetQueen Street

People walking in the streetHigh Street

Have you been to Cardiff? Did I miss something worth seeing? (I’m sure I did.) Let me know in the comments.