Cardiff on a whim

So, I was looking on National Coach and saw i could go to Cardiff last minute for £16 r/t... sure why not! Figured I could find accommodation and stuff to do easily enough until I read on another thread there is some football match Sunday. No wonder I couldn't find anywhere cheap to book online!

I'm optimistic nonetheless... any ideas and suggestions, things to see, what to do?

The city sightseeing bus tour is ok, a good way to see the city.  And Cardiff Castle is nice but there's not much else to see or do.  I was glad we only spent a day there! 

Cardiff is where I go if I want some exciting shopping! But I'm out in the country without access to many shops. If you're coming from London this won't seem as thrilling to you as it does to me.

Take a harbour boat tour. Those are fun. And there are some good restaurants in that area.

The National Museum of Wales is incredible! If you're into art, don't miss it! There's also St. Fagan's Museum, but that's sort of outside the city. It's really cool and a great glimpse into life in Wales over the past 500 years! I think there may be bus service from the city to St. Fagan's.

If you're spending the night, there are some amazing hotels -- provided they're not all booked up already. The St. David's is lovely.

Don't worry -- you'll find plenty to do in Cardiff! I just hope you have good weather as it can be bitterly cold and windy down by the harbour! Have fun!

You can buy handmade Welsh love spoons from a neat shop that is sort of across the street from the stadium. I always like to pick them up as gifts while I'm in the city. They actually have the world's smallest and world's largest ones...pretty neat. Shopping is great in Cardiff and I also suggest the museums mentioned or the shopping area in Cardiff Bay as well.

excellent ideas thanks!!

any ideas for other "local" things to try, foods etc? I am a really cheesy tourist and will try or be interested in anything... will definitely look for those spoons!

any ideas for other "local" things to try, foods etc? I am a really cheesy tourist and will try or be interested in anything... will definitely look for those spoons!

If you want Welsh food, have some bara brith and some cawl. Not really my favourites, but definitely Welsh. Other than that, find a restaurant that does the whole "Slow Food" thing (all local stuff) and have either fish or lamb. Welsh cheeses are great, too!

If you're spending the night, there are some amazing hotels -- provided they're not all booked up already. The St. David's is lovely.

Thanks Belindaloo... I had a look at St. David's and will save that visit when I am feeling a bit more posh. 

I'll second St Fagan's- Museum of Welsh Life.  What an amazing place.
And its free.  Only £2 to park there all day and no admission charges.

I am smitten with Wales (and I don't say stuff like that lightly!!) 

I will certainly be back!! Perhaps even when my two years are up in London. 

Welsh people are nice! I had no idea what to expect. Doors were held open, cars stopped before I even stepped to the curb to cross the road, people looked me in the eye, told stories... It was very refreshing! It reminded me a lot of the Pacific North West... weather, location, cosmo, diverse yet down to earth.

I didn't realize the Carling cup was happening Sunday... funny thing, the light up signs on the freeway warned traffic would be slow on Sunday because of the "Soccer" game... no kidding, guess football is too long to write out! But I had no problem finding a place to stay for the night.

First, I went over to Penarth... not quite the "Garden by the Sea" the shiny brochure claimed it to be, but it was winter so perhaps it livens up later. The shopping area in town was nicely set up so I strolled around there.

I walked around Cardiff (it was just okay with the same shops in my town... and sooo many Starbucks to my surprise), saw the castle smack in the middle, saw the shop with the love spoons- saw the world's largest love spoon too! I found a stand making fresh off the griddle Welsh cakes, YUMMY!

The next day, I came across the farmer's market and tried the bara brith and bought some cheese. Next, I went to St. Fagan's. It was great! People in there were friendly and you could tell they liked their work. I heard lots of stories and saw quite a few toothless grins. I certainly would like to go back in the spring or summer when there are more people.

Back in Cardiff, I fought my way through the Carling Cup football crowd. There was another cultural experience for me! People were face painted, singing songs, decked out in their colors and waving banners, blowing horns. I went to the art museum, walked around town and then it was time for the bus back to London!

Delightful trip. Bummed I am missed the daffys in bloom though. They are nearly ready and will be quite a sight as they are all over town in in the gardens!

Next trip I will plan a little better and check out some of the other castles and the coal towns. The west coast and the north are also on my agenda one of these days!

There's also St. Fagan's Museum, but that's sort of outside the city. It's really cool and a great glimpse into life in Wales over the past 500 years! I think there may be bus service from the city to St. Fagan's.

Love St. Fagan's!

I'm so glad you had a good time!!

And on behalf of Welsh people everywhere... who knew we were so polite!?

Yes, you should definitely aim for the west coast of Wales next time. That's where I live! It's a good 2 1/2 hours west of Cardiff, but well worth the journey to see some of our gorgeous seaside villages.

Delightful trip. Bummed I am missed the daffys in bloom though. They are nearly ready and will be quite a sight as they are all over town in in the gardens!


I will take some pics once they bloom and post them!

oh please do joni!! daffodils are my favorites!! I am tempted to go back in a couple of weeks just to see them... they were everywhere!!

and belindaloo, please tell your Welsh folk to keep up the reputation Seriously, crossing over the bridge was like Dorothy entering OZ!!

I was trying to remember the last time I felt so favorable of a new country... Slovenia 2001 is what I came up with. Lovely people as well.