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Guide to Cardiff, UK
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Cardiff
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CardiffCardiff, one of several regional capitals in the United Kingdom, is situated in the southwest sector of Wales, lying comfortably along the coastline touching the Atlantic via the waterway known as the Bristol Channel. For decades, even centuries, Cardiff held a rather regular status among cities and towns in the UK. Since its inception as capital of Wales, however, things have been looking up for Cardiff, in terms of attention, importance, and appearance. The visual appeal of Cardiff has risen, with a great number of restorations underway or having already been completed and a good amount of new structures sprouting up throughout its cityscape. Cardiff has experienced a great deal of change, but it has not lost its historic touch or simplistic nature. Of course, the city is far busier today than in the past, but Cardiff remains quite an easygoing hub, if only to be enhanced by the governmental responsibility it acquired half-a-century ago. Much of the tradition lifestyles found here are almost non-existent, and events here are really the only reminder of how things used to be in Cardiff and the general Wales countryside. But dont allow this jump towards the current and now prevent you from experiencing Cardiffs best. Roam from museums to galleries; spend a day taking on the life of a commoner in the historic village inside St. Fagans Castle. Dont hesitate, Cardiff awaits.
When to go:
The Wales landscape is roughly a division of plains and mountains. Hills are thrown into the mix occasionally, but for the most part surprises are few. Luckily for Cardiff, it sees days that are among the warmest in the UK, and if youre coming during the summer, youll be treated with fine breezes coming off the water. The shoulder seasons bring the ordinary climate conditions with which theyre associated: spring being the cooler time of year, and autumn showing a greater rainfall average. Unless youre off to the mountains for an adventure of your own, its best to stay away from Cardiff in winter. The city doesnt experience daily temperatures as cold as those in the north of England and so forth, but youll have a tough time enjoy the city with the prevalence of gray skies and water too cold even to traverse by boat. Couple those conditions with a biting wind and your main goal during your stay will be seeking shelter.
Getting there and around:
A bit to far to be a convenient distance from the city, Cardiff International Airport may cater to a wide range of national and foreign carriers, but youll have a difficult time catching that last-minute flight if youre stuck in city traffic with 12 miles to go before boarding. If you set aside a safety-net of time, you can enjoy the diverse food and snacking options available inside the terminal while waiting for a bus into town or for a delayed flight to depart. Also for your convenience, two exchange bureaus are on-site in both the arrival and departure areas.
If youre within the city center, its possible to travel most of the area by foot, but you will be in need of a bus or taxi to get you to further reaches of Cardiff. Buses run routes that cover nearly every sector an ordinary vehicle will go, and youll save yourself quite a bit of cash by opting for public transit over that of a private taxi.
Attractions:
Even since Cardiffs inception as capital of Wales, the city has seen rejuvenation in its chief sites, and among them are the Museum of Welsh Life and the National Museum and Gallery.
The Museum of Welsh Life gives an interesting perspective to tradition life of the Welsh. Situated inside the historic St. Fagans Castle, the Museum is comprised of reproduction buildings taking the shape of such establishments as a school and chapel. While some structures take on a realistic image, others were created specially for the display of antiques and items such as costumes and kitchenware.
Cardiffs National Museum and Gallery takes a completely different approach to history with its interactive exhibits and expansive collection of art of Welsh and foreign fame. Archaeology aficionados will delight in Museums section on fossils and minerals.
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