Landmarks
Cardiff
Cardiff is home to many significant buildings. The city’s name is apparently derived from the Welsh Caerdydd, ‘Caer’ being a castle, and there are two castles here. Cardiff Castle itself includes parts of an original Roman wall, as well as a Norman keep and sumptuous Gothic Revival apartments from the late 1860s. To the north, the fairytale Castell Coch (‘Red Castle’) is in fact a Victorian folly, built on the site of a previous medieval fortress.
Much more recent is Richard Rogers’ Senedd / National Assembly for Wales building at Cardiff Bay, which houses the National Assembly for Wales, and the dramatic Wales Millennium Centre, home to a range of arts organisations including the Welsh National Opera. The vast letters on the façade make up two lines by Welsh poet Gwyneth Lewis, Creu Gwir fel gwydr o ffwrnais awen ("Creating truth like glass from the furnace of inspiration"), and the English words, "In these stones, horizons sing".
Cardiff is also home to the Millennium Stadium, which replaced the famous Cardiff Arms Park. The stadium, rated five-star by UEFA, is primarily a rugby and soccer arena, but has also hosted concerts by international acts like Madonna, U2 and the Rolling Stones. It’s the world’s second-largest stadium to feature a retractable roof.
The city boasts an array of restaurants, bars and nightspots to rival any European capital. You can even enjoy some reflected Hollywood glory at Mimosa, the Cardiff Bay restaurant part-owned by movie actor Ioan Gruffudd, star of Amazing Grace and Fantastic Four, who was brought up in Cardiff
South Wales
Cardiff is surrounded by areas of breathtaking natural beauty, and landmarks of a long, proud history. In the Valleys of South Wales, for example, is Merthyr Tydfil, the ‘Iron Capital of the World’, and Caerphilly, home to a Norman castle that is one of Europe’s largest fortresses.
The many ruined castles of the Wye Valley and Vale of Usk are testament to Wales’ rich history. There’s also the famous Tintern Abbey, St Fagan’s living museum and the spectacular Brecon Beacons National Park, right on your doorstep.
To the south-west of Cardiff, the ancient county of Glamorgan is a world away from metropolitan bustle. Here is a wealth of attractions, from the tranquil beauty of the Gower Peninsula to Llandaff Cathedral and no less than 15 golf courses, including in the east the Celtic Manor Resort, which will host the Ryder Cup in 2010.