Wales: Cardiff

From Bath we made a detour to Cardiff. In the 1800s south Wales coal turned Cardiff into the largest coal export port in the world, and the largest city in Wales. Cardiff became the official capital of Wales in 1955, home of the Welsh Parliament and Wales Millennium Centre, and a huge barrage that turned tidal mud flats into a lake.

Still I found Cardiff rather underwhelming. On the train to Cardiff, a fellow passenger said to us "I'm not sure why you are bothering with Cardiff". I now agree with him.

Leaving Bath Spa Railway Station on a Great Western Railway (GWR) train.


From city center Cardfiff, it's a short train ride to Cardiff Bay and the iconic Wales Millennium Centre. There was a theatre show that night, and although the weather was quite chilly and breezey, folks were streaming in.




Looking to the now-non-tidal Cardiff Bay, and farther to the like-a-dam Barrage.






Cardiff is the capital of Wales. The parliament meets in the Senedd Building at Cardiff Bay.


In front of the Senedd Building is the striking Merchant Seafarers's War Memorial.


Nearby is the Pierhead Building (1897), originally the headquarters of the Cardiff Railway Company. Again let me say it was pretty darn chilly when we visited Cardiff Bay.




There are several old dry docks around Cardiff Bay. They used to provide services for coaling ships.




Cardiff Bay Railway Station (Bae Caerdydd)


Back in Cardiff, the Cardiff Market was very photogenic.






The Brutalist Westgate Street NCP Car Park (1974)


Principality Stadium


High St. Arcade