Cardiff Bay

Over the last 10 years Cardiff Bay has changed from from a run down wasteland to an area of wonder! Honestly though, the area is much better now than it was and is especially popular with the tourists. Though you wonder what the locals think about it all!

At one time Cardiff Docks was the busiest coal exporting port in the world. Today, the docks are hardly used and the only coal seen is coming into the country rather than going out.

The area has been re-vitalised, though the promised thousands of new jobs have yet to be seen. Most "new" white collar jobs in the area have been due to re-location from within the city. The new office and housing development has forced the displacement of manufacturing jobs out of the area.

However, the area has become a thriving tourist attraction. The area around the Pierhead Building is very popular especially at the weekends and during the summer holiday period. The area revolves around Mermaid Quay - a complex of bars, restaurants and designer shops. From the bayside at Mermaid Quay several trips boats offer trips around the Bay. Nearby, are the Millennium Centre, the Welsh National Assembly, the Norwegian Church and the Lightship.

The Oval Basin (one of the old locks to the docks) is a popular venue for open air concerts and fairs.

Away from the waterside area you can find older pubs and more traditional restaurants.

The whole area is well worth a visit.

Cardiff Bay restaurants guide.