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Waterfront · Cardiff, País de Gales
Cardiff Bay
The old docklands of Cardiff transformed into a district beside a freshwater lake, featuring the Senedd, the Wales Millennium Centre, the Pierhead Building, the Norwegian church and the barrage.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Bay is the old docklands of Cardiff, which in the early 20th century was the world’s largest coal-exporting port; it was there, in the coal exchange building, that the first million-pound cheque was signed. With the end of the coal trade the docks fell into disuse. From the 1990s a barrage closed the bay and formed a freshwater lake of around 200 hectares, and the area was redeveloped with cultural buildings, restaurants and promenades.
On the waterfront are the Wales Millennium Centre (2004), a theatre and opera house with a Welsh slate façade and a huge bilingual inscription; the Senedd, the glass-and-wood building of the Welsh Parliament designed by Richard Rogers and open to visitors; and the Pierhead Building, a red-brick and terracotta building from 1897 with a clock tower and exhibitions about the country. The small Norwegian church, a white wooden building where writer Roald Dahl was baptised, is now a café and arts space.
A roughly 10 km trail circles the lake and passes the Cardiff Bay barrage, with locks and a park, to Penarth, a Victorian town with a pier. Pleasure boats and water taxis link the bay with the centre along the River Taff and with the barrage.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day for the waterfront, the Senedd, the Pierhead and a boat trip or walk to the barrage.
Best time
In the late afternoon, when the waterfront fills up and the sun sets over the lake. The Senedd and Pierhead have weekday visiting hours — check ahead. In summer there are outdoor events.
How to get there
It lies about 2 km south of central Cardiff. Short trains link Cardiff Queen Street station to Cardiff Bay station in around 5 minutes, and buses run from the centre. On foot via Lloyd George Avenue it's about a 30-minute walk.
Tip
Take a water taxi along the River Taff from the centre to the bay, and return on foot or by train. Go into the Senedd to view the debating chamber from above.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cardiff Bay
What to do in Cardiff Bay?
Visit the Senedd and the Pierhead, see the Wales Millennium Centre, walk along the waterfront to the barrage and eat by the lake.
How to get from the centre to Cardiff Bay?
By a short train from Cardiff Queen Street to Cardiff Bay, by bus, by water taxi along the river, or on foot, about 30 minutes.
Can you visit the Welsh Parliament?
Yes, the Senedd is usually open to visitors, with access to the debating chamber gallery. Check opening times.