Things to do
Things to do
Cardiff is a great city, and we’re not just saying that because it’s where we’re from!
Here are a few recommendations for places to visit and things to do if you’re sticking around after the wedding, or arriving early:
Cardiff Bay: The bay where Techniquest is situated is also one of Cardiff’s biggest attractions. There’s a lot of local history, and loads of cool stuff to visit, from the Millennium Centre, to the Doctor Who Museum, to the Senedd (the Welsh Assembly building).
Cardiff Castle: You can’t really miss it. This massive, reconstructed castle has foundations dating back to the Roman era and is a focal point of the city.
St. Fagan’s: An open-air museum, including entire reconstructed villages from different times in Welsh History, a vast series of flower gardens and some of the best cheese baps in South Wales. If you visit, you must try throwing a pot.
Cardiff Museum: Another one of Han and Joe’s favoured haunts. Also includes the Cardiff Gallery.
Llandaff cathedral: This beautiful 12th century cathedral is well worth a visit. It’s the biggest and one of the oldest in Wales, and still going strong.
Principality Stadium (formerly Millennium Stadium): The fourth-biggest stadium in the UK, holy ground for Rugby fans, and where Han once went to see Oasis before they imploded.
We’d also love to share with you all some of our own favourite places in Cardiff – things you’re less likely to find in the guidebooks.
We’d also love to share with you all some of our own favourite places in Cardiff – things you’re less likely to find in the guidebooks.
Joe’s faves
Han’s faves
Spillers Records
One of the oldest record shops on the planet (founded 1894), based in Morgan Arcade, and still a pilgrimage for fans of rock and vinyl collectors. Plus, it’s paid host to live performances by some of Joe’s favourite bands, including local legends The Manic Street Preachers.
Chapter Arts Centre
Indie cinema, art gallery, theatre, bar and cafe all in one – Chapter Arts Centre has something for everyone. So, whether you want to sample the cultural delights of South Wales or just sample a delicious bowl of cawl, we recommend a visit.
Clwb Ifor Bach
This nightclub, specialising in live indie, punk, and hardcore music was a gathering point for the emo scene that Joe has never really grown out of. These days, there’s less guyliner about, but the shows are still fire.
New York Deli
Tucked away in the Duke Street Arcade, this little eatery’s bagels and loaded subs are the best you’ll find this side of the Atlantic. Absolutely not to be missed – and you will never leave hungry. Han’s top tip? Ask for the Richard Parks Sandwich.
D’Vinyl
Okay, it sounds like another record store, but that’s not half of it! Behind the shabby-looking façade, tucked away at the end of Wellfield Road, this second-hand and vintage media store is a literal Aladdin’s Cave. With stock packed to the rafters, no matter the format, no matter how obscure, if you’re looking for a movie, record, videogame, or TV series, D’Vinyl will D’liver.
Tiny Rebel
This microbrewery based out of Newport runs a bar near Cardiff Central Station. Its flagship red ale ‘Cwtch’ won ‘Supreme Champion Beer of Britain’ back in 2015, and to this day it remains Han’s pint of choice wherever she can find it. If you’re sticking around for another night or two, we thoroughly recommend sampling a flight of the latest brews.
Hayes Island Snack Bar
This unassuming outdoor café has been running for over a century, making it the oldest operating snack bar in Wales. It’s still a favourite meeting place for Joe and father-of-the-groom Gary Attard. You don’t stick around for that many decades without learning how to make a mean toastie.
Barry Island
While not strictly Cardiff, it’s well worth making a daytrip to Barry – even if you’ve never watched Gavin and Stacey. Grab an ice cream and walk the promenade, make like a local and crack a beer on the beach, and – of course – splash out for some tokens in the Pleasure Park. The health and safety standards have improved a lot since Han and Joe were kids, but not so much that the fun’s gone.
Joe’s faves:
Spillers Records
One of the oldest record shops on the planet (founded 1894), based in Morgan Arcade, and still a pilgrimage for fans of rock and vinyl collectors. Plus, it’s paid host to live performances by some of Joe’s favourite bands, including local legends The Manic Street Preachers.
Clwb Ifor Bach
This nightclub, specialising in live indie, punk, and hardcore music was a gathering point for the emo scene that Joe has never really grown out of. These days, there’s less guyliner about, but the shows are still fire.
D’Vinyl
Okay, it sounds like another record store, but that’s not half of it! Behind the shabby-looking façade, tucked away at the end of Wellfield Road, this second-hand and vintage media store is a literal Aladdin’s Cave. With stock packed to the rafters, no matter the format, no matter how obscure, if you’re looking for a movie, record, videogame, or TV series, D’Vinyl will D’liver.
Hayes Island Snack Bar
This unassuming outdoor café has been running for over a century, making it the oldest operating snack bar in Wales. It’s still a favourite meeting place for Joe and father-of-the-groom Gary Attard. You don’t stick around for that many decades without learning how to make a mean toastie.
Han’s faves:
Chapter Arts Centre
Indie cinema, art gallery, theatre, bar and cafe all in one – Chapter Arts Centre has something for everyone. So, whether you want to sample the cultural delights of South Wales or just sample a delicious bowl of cawl, we recommend a visit.
New York Deli
Tucked away in the Duke Street Arcade, this little eatery’s bagels and loaded subs are the best you’ll find this side of the Atlantic. Absolutely not to be missed – and you will never leave hungry. Han’s top tip? Ask for the Richard Parks Sandwich.
Tiny Rebel
This microbrewery based out of Newport runs a bar near Cardiff Central Station. Its flagship red ale ‘Cwtch’ won ‘Supreme Champion Beer of Britain’ back in 2015, and to this day it remains Han’s pint of choice wherever she can find it. If you’re sticking around for another night or two, we thoroughly recommend sampling a flight of the latest brews.
Barry Island
While not strictly Cardiff, it’s well worth making a daytrip to Barry – even if you’ve never watched Gavin and Stacey. Grab an ice cream and walk the promenade, make like a local and crack a beer on the beach, and – of course – splash out for some tokens in the Pleasure Park. The health and safety standards have improved a lot since Han and Joe were kids, but not so much that the fun’s gone.
First Time in Wales?
If you’ve never visited Wales before, here’s a few local traditions to try before you leave!
Try bara brith: This traditional tea-flavoured fruitcake tastes best when your Nain or Mam-gu gets it fresh out the oven. But failing that, ordering one at a café makes for the perfect accompaniment to a cuppa.
Try welshcakes: A bit like if a scone and a pancake had a baby – these little circles of Welsh delight are rightly famous. Order one at a café or buy a pack of 12 and polish them off.
Try rarebit: Wales’ version of a croque monsieur dates back to the 1500s (so… you could say the croque monsieur is the French interpretation of a rarebit?). Basically, it’s cheese sauce, coupled with melted cheese, on bread and it’s divine.
Have a Cwtch: Also applies to the Tiny Rebel beer cited above, but cwtch is a Welsh word for ‘cuddle’. There will be plenty of opportunities for this during the silent disco.
Get a Lovespoon: Traditionally these ornately carved wooden spoons should be made out of a single piece of wood, and be gifted to the person closest to your heart. Bring one home with you and show your significant other/crush how you feel about them, Welsh-style.
Learn to pronounce the place names: Much as it’s amusing to watch English-speakers struggling with Llangollen and Caerdydd, you will really impress your friends if you can wrap your lips around the authentic pronunciation. Quick heads up: if you see a ‘LL’ ‘DD’ or ‘AU’, it isn’t pronounced remotely how you think it is.