One day in Cardiff

[nancy75]

My DD is at the point of final uni choices and we are off to Cardiff for a day in the Feb half term.
DD like vintage clothes, record shops, art and nights out!
Any tips or pointers in the right direction greatly appreciated.
Any must sees or don't bothers?
Her other choice is Liverpool so Cardiff has got a bit to live up to (she loved Liverpool)
Thank you!

The castle is fab!

www.cardiffcastle.com

My DD is at Bath but this week they have winter break and she went to Cardiff for the day yesterday. She really enjoyed her day, huge market, big shopping centre, warm Welsh cakes and visiting the Torchwood opening to the rift in time and space on the waterfront 🤣

there was a fantastic vintage clothes shop called Hobos, I’m hoping it’s still there!
you must visit spillers records too! Depending on when you are going, a great night out is clwb ifor bach, theres a band called panic shack playing on 18th feb, they’d be amazing to see!

There was the best Indian restaurant at the bay. I hope its still as good. Called the duchess of Delhi. We haven't been for 6 years so it may have changed hands but the food (especially the lamb shank) was fabulous.

In a day I'd do the museum, stroll though Bute Park past the castle to the Hayes, visit the Arcades and have lunch in that area. If time head up to Queen St station for a direct train to the Bay for drinks, dinner and if there's something on you fancy a show at WMC

We’re going to be fairly limited for time as we’re coming from London & not staying overnight. Sounds like vintage shops & a market would be right up her street, the Torchwood stuff would be great too - she’s a Dr Who nerd!
We will definitely walk through the park (( she’s looking at RWCMD & I think it’s in that direction)

The arcades sounds like just what she’d be looking for - she’s not really in to high street shopping but loves little Indy shops

Is it a fairly walkable city? I look at maps & think in London size (not walkable to everything!)

What does your DD think of Bath? It is on DDs maybe list but she thinks there’ll be no nightlife (obviously the key issue when choosing a Uni 🙄)

Wow, I went to Cardiff uni in the 99's and used to that club. Can't believe it's still there. It was always a great night out.

Absolutely loves it.
The "safest city in the UK" thing was what made me very happy 🤣 and DD did wonder about the nightlife, but I can confirm (having been informed over Christmas) there is nightlife galore, they go to two or three clubs in town as well as the SU own events. (what's great is the bus service which runs iirc between the city centre and the campus from 8am to 4am. So however late they come out of the clubs, they can get the bus back)

We just had a weekend in Cardiff (not with the same interests as your DD, obv, we were just doing castles and the museum of history outside of the town.) re walkability, we stayed on the bay, lots of places to eat but mostly chains. We asked the hotel reception about walking into the city ... she reckoned half an hour along a main road and to avoid the road parallel to its left if we didn't like the smell of pot. No idea if that's accurate... we took a taxi instead. The centre seemed ok.

RWCMD is about a 15 min walk from Cardiff Central station through St Mary street, (where many of the Victorian arcades have entrances) and Bute park. City centre is compact and you could easily do it all, including the museum and arcade shops, within a day

The city centre is very compact and walkable. You can walk from the rwcmd through the park and into town easily. If you're driving park in the civic centre across the road from the college

I'd probably just stick to the centre or the bay if you've only got a short time. I think the centre will suit you better if you're not yearning for the sea

If she is a city girl I imagine Liverpool will be more up her street. Cardiff is more like a town than a city. It’s good to live here if you like nature and naturey/ outdoor activities as there is so much nature, so easily accessible in Wales ( if you have a car). But I do miss the diversity and range of stuff to do in a city, the buzz of a city, and just the fact that there are more people at the stuff you do in a city. Cardiff is just too small for all that.

I had the best time of my life living in Cardiff, I’d move back in a heartbeat!
very walkable, the bay is nice but to be honest I’d stay in the town centre, there’s plenty to see. As others have said, go to the arcades, they really are lovely.
the shopping centre has changed massively since I was there, there’s loads more!
@VioletCharlotte did you used to go to the barfly too? I was there early 2000s and I think I left my heart there!

That’s interesting, I thought Liverpool was more like a town than a city, but I’m very aware I’m comparing things to London which is obviously massive in comparison to most places!

Looking at the weather forecast I think we’ll definitely stick to the main city centre - I like the sea but not on a freezing cold day in February!

I love how walkable Cardiff is, and the art in the museum is fabulous. I have very happy memories of spending hours and hours in the vintage clothes shops as a student (I still like doing so now when we visit). Lots of bands play there, and obv great ballet/ opera/ classical music access too.
Someone up thread mentioning Clwb Ifor Bach took me right back to Tuesday nights there. Now Dh was a DJ on metal night

Cardiff is definitely city vibes rather than town imo! It's amazing. Welsh cakes and record shop from the indoor market (go up the stairs) walk into the all the arcades (vintage shop, good cheese shop, cool vegan eateries and another independent record shop)
Amazing sandwich shop called Bombers off st marys st and one on charles st
Cardiff uni SU has a club inside!

Fab nightlife and food. The bay is so well developed too. And can explore
City rd is diverse, bit grotty in some areas but full of middle eastern and lebanese food
Lots of chinese food markets/restaurants and authentic bubble tea

Cathays can be a dive but it's a rite of passage for uni students.
Sooooo walkable. Easy to get round and visit the rest of Wales too

I wish I never moved away!!
Cons: parking is a nightmare for visiting

if your house opens onto the pavement you cant have wheelybins, so when you put bins out all the seagulls rip the bags open and go through it. HOWEVER there's food waste recycling so in theory there's nothing for the gulls to eat. but sometimes the streets look a mess with all the rubbish flying everywhere

Thank you, lots of ideas for things for us to do to get a feel for the place.
Now if someone in Cardiff can arrange for a dry day with a bit of sun…