Cardiff or Birmingham?

[Ifonlyiweretaller]

Have a girlie couple of days coming up shortly and we need someone's experience as to whether Cardiff is a good place for shopping / eating? We went to Birmingham last time and loved it, so are happy to go back there but someone mentioned Cardiff. Anyone any experience?

Our local towns have gone downhill dramatically in recent years and we would hate to arrive somewhere and find the choice of shops to be poor .We like big department stores as well as the high street shops, and also quirky shops and good bars!

Any info appreciated...

St Davids 2 is the big shopping centre in Cardiff. You can check out the website for a list of shops. I think it's pretty great, John Lewis at one end, Debenhams at the other. Outside the centre there's more upmarket stores, Joules, jack wills, moulton brown, jo malone, vans, etc. Then 10 mins walk away on queen street there's Zara, primark, m&s, next, a Lush shop and spa (if that's your thing). I don't go out in Cardiff much any more but there are lots of "nice" bars and restaurants off queen street, and also lots of bars on St Mary's street near the castle. St Mary's street can be quite wild at the weekend!

You might struggle to find "quirky" shops, but there are some little alleys joining the main streets which have nice delis and stuff.

I hope you enjoy it if you visit. (Check it's not a rugby weekend though, the place will be heaving).

Thanks Warmworm, great information, Cardiff sounds lovely! I have been before, but many years ago and with children in tow ( so a different kind of break,) but we did really like it. Sounds like it is still a great place to spend a few days.

You make a very good point about the rugby though, will need to check that out!