Cardi about the city
World famous Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Welcome to Cardiff Croeso I Gaerdydd The capital city of Wales has altered beyond recognition over the past decade or so. Massive investment in the city, the regeneration of its docks into a superb waterfront and a general interest in all things Welsh, from its music scene to its independent government, makes Cardiff an exciting European destination. Cardiff has the good fortune to house such gems as the National Museum of Wales, the Museum of Welsh Life, the Wales Millennium Centre and stunning civic buildings surrounded by acres and acres of parkland. The city boasts a year-round calendar of events. For the very latest on all the city’s events, theatre and show listings and concerts, contact Cardiff Visitor Centre or pick up Buzz magazine and keep an eye on the students’ union notice board - but a night out in Cardiff is usually an event in itself! Despite all the recent changes, Cardiff remains a famously friendly city.
Cardiff’s a young, prosperous and vibrant city full of character and atmosphere with a range of first-class facilities for sport, nightlife, shopping and sightseeing. If you are looking for a place where you will be made to feel welcome; somewhere that’s lively, inexpensive and easy to get around - Cardiff is your answer!
Waterfront City Barcelona may be a famous city by the sea, but it is Cardiff that boasts Europe’s largest waterfront development, Cardiff Bay. The harbour area has always been important to the city and in the late 19th century Cardiff was the world’s busiest coal port. In 1999, the Cardiff Bay barrage created a huge freshwater lake which is now surrounded by chic waterfront bars, restaurants and cafes. The Roald Dahl Plass, named after the famous Cardiff-born author, is a stunning public plaza next to the modern Welsh Government Building and the Wales Millennium Centre. The bowl-shaped area, with amphitheatre style seating, acts as a venue for open-air concerts and festivals throughout the summer. Lazy Sundays can easily be spent in Cardiff Bay, with a tapas lunch on the balcony at Terra Nova, followed by ice-cream at Cadwalader’s and then a boat trip over to the seaside town of Penarth, or back to the city centre.
Cardiff Bay
1
Out and About Few capital cities are better placed than Cardiff for blowing away the cobwebs when city life becomes too hectic. The remote wilderness of the Brecon Beacons National Park is under an hour away from Cardiff and home to some of Wales’ most spectacular landscapes. The opportunities for activity are endless, from hiking to the summit of Wales’ highest peak, to mountain biking, or kayaking, fishing and caving, alongside amazing rivers and waterfalls.
If surfing is your thing, Britain’s first area of outstanding natural beauty, The Gower Peninsular, is also within an hours drive. Famous for its clean, award-winning beaches, the area has some of the world’s best surf spots, but is equally attractive for sun worshippers and walkers alike, with golden sands and a breathtaking, rugged coastline. The Taff Trail runs through the centre of Cardiff, following the route of the river from the Brecon Beacons in the north, through the valleys, before ending in Cardiff Bay, with plenty of sights en route for cyclists and walkers. 2
View from the Brecon Beacons
Sporting City Cardiff is without doubt a sporting capital. The Millennium Stadium dominates the skyline and has seen sporting history played out under its retractable roof, since 1999. Watching: A legendary destination for rugby fans Cardiff on an international match day is often awash with people from across the world.
Wales Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Many say there isn’t anywhere better to watch a major sporting event than in a world class stadium, unusually situated at the heart of a city centre.
Bustling Cardiff street on match day.
It’s not all about rugby though - the Millennium Stadium is also home to the British Speedway Grand Prix and has hosted international boxing clashes. Cardiff City FC also has its brand new stadium at Leckwith for the fans to enjoy the games. Cricket enthusiasts will enjoy an afternoon at Sophia Gardens, home to Glamorgan County Cricket Club, whilst ice hockey fans can see the Cardiff Devils team in action at the city’s ice-rink. Playing: Cardiff Met itself has some of the best sporting facilities in Wales, but outside of the university, there is plenty of opportunity for recreational sport. If rowing is your thing, the River Taff runs right though the city centre and there is also a chance to row in the beautiful surroundings of Roath Park Lake in Cardiff.
3
National Indoor Athletics Centre, Cyncoed
The Welsh Institute of Sport at Sophia Gardens has world class facilities including badminton, tennis and netball courts. Winter sports are also catered for - Cardiff has its own dry ski slope in Fairwater and a temporary ice-rink until Cardiff’s new multimillion pound sports village is completed.
St Davids-Dewi Sant, Cardiff’s new shopping complex
4
Travelling to Cardiff Cardiff is easy to reach whether you’re travelling by car, coach, train or plane. By Car The M4 motorway lies just a mile or so to the north of the city centre giving easy access to London and the South East or, via the M5, to the Midlands, the South West and the North.
By Train The main station for Inter-City services is Cardiff Central in the city centre. It is approximately three miles from the campuses at Llandaff and Cyncoed.
Rail travel is just as easy. A good rail network links Cardiff to all parts of Wales and there are fast, daily services to other major cities. London is only two hours away by Inter-City.
Taxis and buses to all the centres and the Halls of Residence are available from the station. Local train services operate from both the Central and the Queen Street stations.
Twelve miles from the city is Wales’ premier regional airport. There are regular services to many British cities as well as to European capitals.
By Coach National coach services operate from the city centre bus station, adjacent to the central railway station. Coach services connect the city to destinations nationwide.
A4067
Brecon
A40
Beacons
Abergavenny
A465
mmanford A465
Merthyr Tydfil
A4061
A474
A4059
A4046
A470
A4107
Neath
A472
Pontypridd
A4119
Bridgend Porthcawl
35
30 32
M4
34
A48
10miles
A4232
24
Westonsuper-Mare
19
18a
18
1
A4
3
Bristol
M5
A38
A370
Bristol Channel
20 15
M49
19
Clevedon
21
22
Second Severn Crossing
Barry
20km
1
23
Avonmouth
Penarth
Severn Bridge
2
M48
M4
Newport
CARDIFF
A4050 A4226
Cardiff International Airport
25 28
29
29a
A48
33
Cowbridge
A48
A449
Chepstow
A468 A467
Caerphilly
A473
36 37
Usk
Cwmbran
A469
A470
A4093
M4
A4042
A472 A4061
41 Swansea Port 40 38 Talbot les
A
A37
Bristol International Airport
21
A38
M5
Cheddar Mendip Hills
Lynton
Burnhamon-Sea
Minehead
M4
B4562 THOR N H
TO ING WELL
A4119 Ninian Park
WP NE
Cardiff D Central H RT NA PE
Cardiff City Stadium
og tlo en W
Rd
NE
er
W
A4161 OR
T
A4234
A470
B4239
r Av e
CARDIFF
Cardiff Queen Street ST Millennium AM Stadium AD
R
ith
5
A469
B4261
Cardiff Castle
N ST
Rd
D
Le ck w
B4267
Roath
N
B4487
To M4 J33 A4232 Cardiff Bay
Tremorfa
W ay
TE RN AV E
A4119
Cathays
Colc hest e
Roath Park
RD
A48
RD
H RT NO
RD
SDO WN ER
Rd
Ely
Canton LA N
YS
A48
Liberty House
Llanrumney
St Mellons
Rumney
Rd yrn Llanede
Victoria Court Swalec Stadium Bute Park
CA TH ED RA L
B4267
A4161
Maindy Centre
Llandaff Fields
aff nd Lla
A48
VE RN A STE WE isely Rd Penc
Llanedeyrn
EAST ERN AVE
W CR
Waun-Gron Park
Roath Park Lake
University Hospital of Wales
D HR RT NO
Fairwater
Cyncoed
Heath Low Level
A469
Pontcanna Fields
Fairwater
Heath High Level
d dR
Heath
A48 Tesco
Cathedral
o wo ath
B4487
d
LLANDAFF
Llandaff
CF23 6XD
Ne wp or tR
HE O L DON
er Riv T
A4119
He
Gabalfa Interchange
CF5 2YB
Danescourt NT RD
Plas Gwyn Campus
AY W
N LLA
SA
M AN OR
Liberty Court
A4054
CYNCOED
Circle Way W
Ta ff
f RI
Whitchurch
RD CAERPHILLY
Isa ol He
Llandaf
Rd
A469
A470
Radyr
To M4 J34 Llantrisant
yd Rh
B4562
ov er
Birchgrove Whitchurch
u na
Cir cle Way E
AV E
PACoryton RK RD
e -P -Y
29a
A48
Pentwyn
RD
A4054
Radyr
RN
Llanishen
RT
NO RT HE
B4562
W ES
Coryton Interchange
A4232
Pontprennau Pentwyn Rd
Rhiwbina
To M4 J29
llons Rd St Me
Rd
RD
32
B4262
e
IL L
A4054 B4262
A4119
n va Lis
Llanishen
M4
30
Lisvane
Tongwynlais
M4
Cardiff Gate Interchange
Lisvane & Thornhill
2km
po rt
1mile 1
0
EASTE RN A VE
0
ew
A469
Castell Coch
To Swansea
To Bristol Newport
To Caerphilly
PO
A470
Wells
Rhymney Riv
To Pontypridd Merthyr Tydfil Brecon
A37
A371
22
Rd
BUSINESS MAPS LTD - WWW.BUSINESSMAPS.COM
A39
Cyncoed
42
Lydney
A466
A472 A469
43
A483
Forest o Dean
Wye Valley
A4042
RD
45
10
A40
A467 A4067
A4067
A40
Monmouth
A474
By Bus The central bus station is adjacent to the central railway station. Local services connect to both campuses.
R
Mouth of the Severn
e Av
Western Avenue Cardiff CF5 2YB Tel: +44 (0)29 2041 6070 Fax: +44 (0)29 2041 6286 cardiffmet.ac.uk
Rhodfa’r Gorllewin Caerdydd CF5 2YB Ffôn: +44 (0)29 2041 6070 Ffacs: +44 (0)29 2041 6286 cardiffmet.ac.uk