|
LIFESTYLE TRAVEL CARDIFF The Millennium Stadium has breathed vast volumes of fresh air into Cardiff since its cosmic arrival in 1999. Surrounding bars and restaurants sprung to attention in honour of their national treasure, encapsulating every particle of atmosphere and energy that ever thrived in the era of Cardiff Arms Park. The capital of Wales is the heart of a very proud nation with a pulse that beats through the River Taff. The people born of such a place are fun loving, warm hearted and not afraid to indulge in their heritage. Match day brings a myriad of red shirts to the cobbled streets where the smell of pasties and Brains Ale fill the air with a unique aura. Cardiff was once one of the richest cities in the world due largely to its thriving coal mining industry and the docks on which it was built. Remains of Wales’ prosperous industrial soul can be viewed at the National Museum Wales in Cathays Park or first hand by taking the 300ft drop underground at the Big Pit National Coal Museum. The docklands have been redeveloped over the last decade to create Cardiff Bay, home to a large freshwater lake for sailing and water sports. Renovations have sparked an influx of bars and restaurants offering a diversity of ambiance and foods of the world. Proclaimed ‘The Home of Doctor Who’, Cardiff is shrouded in
dark, Dalek history and maps that point to the locations the
good doctor has blessed with his presence. For a slightly more
terrestrial view of history, Cardiff Castle has overseen almost Queen Street and St. David’s Street host a plethora of high street shops while the quirky market stalls and arcades offer an experience closer to Cardiff’s heart. Anyone who can make it up for Sunday morning should head to the pedestrianised area between Mill Lane and Custom House Street where the Cafe Quarter is an ideal location for a spot of brunch. Welsh lamb and beef, high quality vegetables, shellfish and salmon are the traditional foods available but an eclectic mix of restaurants cater for a whole variety of taste buds. The city’s heartbeat pounds long into the night with an array of bars and clubs, from cosy live music venues to the very club in which ‘Human Traffic’ was filmed. St Mary Street and Cardiff Bay are popular, mainstream haunts with Greyfriars Road offering an alternative night out. Cathays is a heavily student populated area while Clwb Ifor Bach and Cardiff Barfly are great live music venues. Above The Wales
fans are a loyal
and colourful
band Check In Like any modern city, Cardiff hosts a wide selection of accommodation, ranging from five star hotels to bed and breakfast, to youth hostels. www.visitcardiff.com is a useful source to help you track down the perfect lodgings, but be sure to book as early as possible and be aware that prices will increase for international weekends. Beam Down The national motorway system runs straight through Cardiff so travelling by car from England is quick and simple. High-speed InterCity trains link most cities with Cardiff. The journey time from London Paddington to Cardiff is under two hours and there are departures every 30 minutes during the day. National Express serves Cardiff from all major UK destinations. Book early for ‘funfare’ tickets at very competitive prices. Megabus travel from London for as little as �1.50 if you book in advance. Stena Line, Brittany Ferries, Condor Ferries and Irish Ferries sail from France and Ireland into UK ports from which Cardiff is easily accessible. Cardiff Airport is utilised by many major airlines across Europe. Aer Arann flys from Ireland, flyglobespan and Highland Airways serve Scotland while bmibaby, Eastern Airways, flybe, KLM, Skybus and Thomson fly from English Airports. CLASSIC SPORTS SERIES / 63 |