If you are of the opinion that the public transport system in Britain is inefficient or expensive, which I do not agree with, then you may consider a rental car that provides total flexibility.
Cardiff with a population of 320,000 inhabitants has been named as one of the top 10 cities in Europe. The Millennium Stadium, which is the home of international rugby in Wales, was very popular during last summer 2012 as Cardiff hosted a few of football matches during the London 2012 Olympics in this arena.
ARRIVING IN CARDIFF
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| Cardiff Airport (CWL) |
Booking online and in advance is highly recommended, for a wider choice of vehicle and rates usually are lower at airport locations.
In my opinion many of the attractions of Cardiff and indeed Wales, can only really be discovered by car, and if you decide to hire a car from Cardiff Airport or any central location British Car Hire can connect you to all the local suppliers, online.
Many Welsh people themselves use Bristol (BRS) airport, which is an easyjet base and where many of the low cost airlines operate from/to many european destinations.
A bus service operates between the airport and the two railway stations in Bristol, Temple Meads and Parkway from where trains depart every 30 minutes to Cardiff Central.
Another option is to collect a rental car at Bristol Airport, the vehicle can be returned to Cardiff, Bristol or elsewhere within mainland Britain, as one way rentals are available at www.britishcarhire.com.
Once you have collected your rental car:
The route from Cardiff airport:- M4 motorway.
The route from Bristol airport:- M49 & M4 motorway via the famous Severn toll bridge.
The toll only needs to be paid once (when crossing the Severn bridge to Wales, not when leaving). This suspension bridge gets its name because the name of the river that it crosses.
Your journey to Cardiff Central can be easily planned and booked online with TravelLine. Cardiff is connected by train to most of the major cities as London Paddington, Bristol, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester.
You will cross the longest railway tunnel in Britain, the Severn Tunnel and you will also be below the highest tidal estuary in Europe "the Severn Bore", a large surge wave that can be seen in the estuary of the River Severn, where the tidal range is the 2nd highest in the world.
ACCOMMODATION
For a group of friends visiting Cardiff I’d suggest the B&B with excellent reviews Brecon Lodge, located in Penarth area where a rental 7 seater vehicle can easily be parked as parking is unrestricted.
Shopping centres and Cardiff Bay are just a few minutes away by bus. Buses passes every 8 minutes. Some leisure facilities as swimming pool can be reached within walking distance.
If you prefer something more chic you would love the style of the Sleeperz Hotel set on the renewed part of the city centre. Sophisticated and trendy, stands for the new modern Cardiff concept.
TYPICAL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
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| A must - Cardiff Castle |
Cardiff Castle is a must. Some of the rooms are now available as venue where weddings, business meetings or special occasions can be celebrated surrounded by 2,000 years of History.
For those who love cheese as much as I do, make a note on your calendar as during September the Great British Cheese festival will take place at Cardiff Castle.
Once you have visited the castle, it is time to go for a walk in Bute Park.
Listed along with Cardiff Castle, it's provides a wide areas of grass, trees and football pitches along the river as well a Secret Garden Cafe, a few pubs and public toilets.
Trips on boat to Cardiff bay going down the river are also available.
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| The Millenium Stadium is impressive |
Very close to the Castle and Bute Park, The Millenium Stadium is not only the home of the Wales national rugby union team but also hosts concerts of famous musicians like the Welsh band Stereophonics
CARDIFF BAY
Cardiff Bay by bus from many stops in town; by train from Queen Street railway station; by taxi or driving in your rental car...
Choose whatever transport you prefer but do not miss Europe´s largest waterfront development.
Visit the Dr. Who series set or any of the many attractions such as Techniquest Science Discovery Centre, The Welsh Assembly at the Pierhead, Butetown History and Arts Centre, the Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Craft in the Bay and the international arts centre Wales Millennium Centre.
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| Cardiff Bay |
My favourite building in this area is the Cardiff Bay Opera House, putting modernist design and classical music together. Leisure and nightlife is something that Cardiff inhabitants love and visitors can easily enjoy as the offer is wide and varied. 18 of the 149 pubs, bars and nightclubs in Cardiff are on the waterfront; 73 restaurants and 125 hotels are on offer.
CASTLE COCH
Moving North from Cardiff, is Castell Coch resting in the woods like a fairytale palace behind the village of Tongwynlais. Its round towers and red turrets are similar of those castles along the banks of the Rhine. Originally a Norman Castle, it was rebuilt during the 19th Century.
CAERPHILLY CASTLE
Caerphilly Castle is just ten minutes driving away from Cardiff and situated in the town centre of Caerphilly lies the second largest castle in Britain, after Windsor.
It was built in the late 13th century and is of a classic concentric design, with high towers, moats a banqueting hall and a working replica of siege engines and a tower that out leans the leaning tower of Pisa.
ROMAN TOWN OF CAERLEON
The roman town of Caerleon just past Newport, where you can go by train or bus or car. During the Roman occupation Caerleon was one of the most important towns in Britain, one of three major fortresses.
Caerleon has an amphitheatre and the National Roman Legion Museum, as well as the only remains of a Roman Legionary barracks in Europe.
SAINT FAGANS NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM
You can explore the St Fagans National History Museum 40 historic buildings to learn how the people of Wales have lived over the last 2000 years. Examine the medieval stone-built church, working bakery, blacksmith, farmhouses, woollen mill and Victorian schoolroom and enjoy a butter cookie with a warm cup of tea in the little cafe.
TINTERN ABBEY
Just off the A466, 4 miles North of Chepstow is The Cistercian Tintern Abbey
An idilic place destroyed as many other catholic temples during the Henry VIII realm a result of his intention to establish total control over the church.
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| Chepstow, surrounded by the Wye River |
The town of Chepstow was home of the lords benefactors of Tintern Abbey. Chepstow Castle, surrounded by the Wye River and wide grass yards where you can enjoy a picnic, is really well maintained.
Get your very own personal souvenir from Serendipity, my favourite second hand and bazar shop, placed in front one of the arcades in Middle Street which leads to The Boat Inn, public house with superb overlooking the river facilities and wide range of choices on the menu at very reasonable prices. Sunday roast is worth to try.
TENBY
Tenby a little harbour town and seaside resort of strategic position was in medieval times a Norman Castle and walled town. The wooden gates into Tenby don´t exist anymore, but the Five Arches at the edge of old town provide a clue as to what the Portuguese merchants would have seen when they brought the first oranges to Wales. For an outdoor day, Tenby offers plenty of activities as fun adventure activity weekends, coasteering, 4X4, paintball, corporate team-building for company workers and many more.
I recommend to join one of the guide visits that leads tourist steps around town. Seafood and fish are the specialities in the area of Pembrokeshire so do not miss the opportunity of enjoying crab meat in any of the many variations can be cooked.
For more information visit the virtual tourist information office.
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| Usk |
Usk located on the River Usk, in Monmouthshire, the town is well known for its ancient pubs, restaurants and antique shops also for its success in Britain in Bloom competitions.
Find the perfect accommodation in a cottage and enjoy a golf day. When visiting the castle, avoid the geese that the private owners keep behind the walls as they might become a bit unfriendly with tourists!
BRECON BEACONS
The Brecon Beacons were established as Natural Park in 1957. Enjoy the range and quality of the activities that the park offers as trekking, climbing, caving and biking. Pen y Fan is the highest mountain in South Wales.
THINGS TO TRY
Cardiff has an abundance of cultural events to offer.
Why not spend an evening at the numerous theatres and auditoriums? From an affordable amount of £12, enjoy the play "Kitsch & Sync Collective: Private Eye Detective" or the National Youth Dance Wales, company of young dancers from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, which are performing this summer.
They all well deserve your ovation.
DID YOU KNOW?
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| Town with the longest name... |
Wales is home of famous and talented pop singers and sopranos as Charlotte Church, Katherine Jenkins, Duffy, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones...They well deserve their own Welsh Celebrities Museum!
As Adele would say "Rumour has it:
- Richey Edwards, former guitarist of the Welsh music band Manic Street Preachers was declared dead in 2008 after 15 years missing
- Which famous female author lived near Chepstow and Porto?
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Uxia Olsson
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