Destination Spotlight: Cardiff

Key Information

Cardiff is the capital of Wales, located at the mouth of The River Severn

Cardiff is the 10th Largest City in the UK with a population of approx 324,800

Cardiff is the world’s first Fair Trade Capital

Cardiff has a population of 324,800

First settled before even Stonehenge or the Great Pyramid at Giza were constructed, Cardiff has emerged in the 21^st century as one of Britain’s most exciting cosmopolitan areas. Located between an ancient fort and modern waterfront, the city boasts world-class sporting stadia, art galleries and museums, orchestras and opera, castles and historic buildings. Not to mention its lively city centre. By day it’s a shopper’s delight, expanding across modern malls, pedestrianised streets and vintage arcades with an eclectic mix of independent boutiques, high street favourites and leading designer stores. At night, a generous scattering of traditional pubs, bars, night clubs and restaurants serve to keep the city’s unique vibrancy alive.

Architecturally, the city’s ancient past and modern redevelopment make for a fascinating hotchpotch; a stunning convergence of old meets new, and surely the Welsh Assembly Building and Welsh Millennium Centre in the waterfront area of Cardiff Bay are not to be missed. Indeed, with its mix of visitor attractions, restaurants and bars, Cardiff Bay is an area for everyone to enjoy.

Cardiff is the perfect alternative destination, with all its delights within walking distance of the city centre and railway station - just two hours by train from London.

Key Information

Cardiff is the capital of Wales, located at the mouth of The River Severn

Cardiff is the 10th Largest City in the UK with a population of approx 324,800

Cardiff is the world’s first Fair Trade Capital

Cardiff has a population of 324,800

Travel Information

Airport: Cardiff Airport

Trains: Cardiff Central Railway Station

Buses: Cardiff Central Bus Station

Water: Aquabus, Cardiff Waterbus, Paddle Steamer Waverley & MV Balmoral

Points of Interest

Conferences & Meetings in Cardiff

It’s the compact city, where leading hotels and conference venues are just a short stroll from an impressive variety of amazing attractions. Rising Cardiff has recently joined the ranks of the UK’s most popular conference and meeting destinations. Its array of venues of all kinds ranges from modern to historic to downright awe-inspiring. Host a meeting for 5 or 5,500 delegates, Cardiff will manage it well.

Perhaps Cardiff’s sporting venue prowess is its most surprising, it was awarded the European City of Sport in 2009 and again in 2014. The portfolio includes the Millennium Stadium, SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff International Sports Stadium and Cardiff Arms Park.

The latest development is the International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay. Inside (and yes, it’s all indoors), an international standard swimming pool, Olympic standard canoeing and rafting facility, a surf machine, a dual-pad ice arena and 150m real snow ski slope.

Cardiff Bay itself is one of Europe’s most sophisticated waterfronts, with thirteen miles of shops, restaurants, bars, cafés and attractions. Most notable must be the Wales Millennium Centre, a great steel and slate monument nurturing the best of Welsh arts.

In and around the city centre are many business hotels with high standards of accommodation and well equipped meetings rooms. The list includes Radisson Blu Hotel Cardiff, Park Inn Cardiff North, Novotel Cardiff Centre, Mercure Holland House Hotel and Hilton Cardiff.

Cardiff Central railway station is within walking distance of the entire city and Cardiff Airport - 12 miles away - offers flights to many major European destinations and Orlando in the USA.