here the River Taff meets the Severn Estuary, the UK’s 11th largest city lies,
but to describe it in such quantitative terms does not even begin to do it
justice. The Welsh capital since 1955, Cardiff is a hub of sports and music,
food and comedy and all of life’s other great pleasures, from cocktails to
castles. The home of the national opera, theatre and dance companies,
which are all incorporated into Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff is many
things to many people. But by the standards of most capitals, Cardiff is a relative newcomer,
having only attained city status in 1905. It’s certainly made up for lost time though, and today
boasts a wealth of attractions, retreats and entertainments that put many larger metropolises to
shame.
Much of the progress that Cardiff has made towards transforming into a European city of
culture has been made in the last 30 years, spearheaded by a major waterfront development
that’s made Cardiff Bay one of the most desirable stretches of water in the UK. Thanks to the
arrival of the International Sports Village, a BBC drama village and a gleaming new business
district, the city has advanced in leaps and bounds. But with 2,000 years of history to call upon,
Cardiff has stories and history in spades for those who’d rather delve into the past than embrace
the present. Many of these tales are celebrated at Cardiff Story Museum and at the National
Museum, a treasure trove of adventure and intrigue that’s also replete with an exquisite
collection of French Impressionist paintings.
For those who prefer more contemporary pleasures, Cardiff’s music and comedy venues are
top-notch, whether witnessing rock, standup or spoken word. Just as you’d
expect of a city that meets the sea, the food – the seafood in particular
– is excellent, as is the Welsh beef you’ll be treated to at the capital’s
upscale restaurants. Down at Mermaid Quay, meanwhile, juicy
king prawns and grilled sea bass are the order of the day.
The boutique shops here are pretty special too. While
some visitors to Cardiff will be happy to while away
an afternoon browsing and drinking at the quayside,
many of those alighting in the city are more intent on
making a beeline for Cardiff City Stadium. This is
a city that loves its football almost as much as it its
rugby.
If you know where to look, Cardiff offers a wealth
of enticing options, from accommodation to
entertainment. Without that all-important local
knowledge, however, discovering Cardiff’s best bars,
freshest seafood restaurants, greatest family attractions
and chirpiest cafes comes down to pot luck. The
Entertainment Guide believes that no holiday or business
trip should be dependant upon sheer serendipity. Your time
is too valuable to be spent on run-of-the-mill attractions and
forgettable eateries. Thankfully, there’s a better way.
INTRODUCTION
4
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