Cardiff, Wales

          Once known only as an industrial and seaport city, Cardiff has transformed itself into a modern, attractive tourist friendly city.  This change began when Cardiff was declared the capital of Wales in the United Kingdom in 1955, a process that has accelerated since the Welsh National Assembly was established in 1999.  In addition to being a destination in its own right, Cardiff is a jumping off place for other nearby points of interest, such as the Brecon Beacons National Park and Tintern in the Wye Valley, with its Tintern Abbey made famous by poet William Wordsworth.  But these would have to wait until my next visit to Wales, giving me a good excuse to return.

Tracing My Roots

          I was excited about seeing Wales for the first time, since my ancestors had been coal miners there in the late 1800s, before immigrating to the United States.  Getting to Cardiff took just a little over an hour on the train from Bath, England with a ticket costing about $18.  Many of the important sights in Cardiff are within easy walking distance from the train station in the main downtown area, and I soon found a room at the very nice Royal Hotel Cardiff there for $89, including a sumptuous breakfast in an elegant dining room.  For more information on this hotel, check out our listing in Awesome Accommodations by clicking on the red bar above.

Castles and Museums

          My umbrella got quite a work out as I explored the city and surrounding area for the rest of the day.  Although the weather is generally mild, Cardiff’s location on the coast makes it often cloudy, wet and windy.  Caught in a downpour at one point, I ducked for cover inside Cardiff University and took advantage of the opportunity to visit this well known institution.  Of course the main attraction here is Cardiff Castle, with its nearly 2000 years of history.  For an even deeper look into Cardiff’s past, don’t miss the National Museum and Gallery, one of those rare treats for the budget traveler…free admission!  The modern National Assembly Building provides a striking contrast with the many historic structures to be found in Wales.

The Waterfront

          I rounded out my day with a walk through the beautiful park along the River Taff, passing by the huge Millennium Stadium which looks a lot like a big ship.  From there I took the short walk to the ultra modern Wales Millennium Centre and Mermaid Quay on the waterfront, where I enjoyed browsing around the chic shops and restaurants.  It was late afternoon by this time and the weather had cleared enough to take the scenic walk along the perimeter of Cardiff Bay before heading back to the hotel.  The next morning it was on to Swansea, where I would begin the picturesque train ride to Shrewsbury that I had heard so much about.  I got a lot more than I bargained for when the conductor and engineer found out I was a train buff!