Quick links to page sections:

Cardiff Bay Attractions • features Techniquest and the Barrage

Shops and Services • features Shopping Centres, also Art Galleries

Food and Drink • features great little Bay cafés and takeaways


Cardiff Bay Attractions

National Assembly for Wales website Pierhead Street, Cardiff Bay • Tel (029) 2089 8477 This brand new multi-million pound building overlooks the waterfront of Cardiff Bay. Home to the Welsh Assembly Government, the Senedd contains the Debating Chamber, Committee Rooms and a public cafe serving cold food.

National Assembly for Wales Visitor Centre website Pierhead Street, Cardiff Bay • Tel (029) 2089 8200 Situated in the historic Pierhead Building on the waterfront right at the heart of Cardiff Bay, the National Assembly for Wales Visitor and Education Centre is an innovative, fully interactive experience. It includes an informative exhibition about the Assembly and its role and responsibilities in Welsh life.

Wales Millennium Centre website Bute Place, Cardiff Bay • Tel (029) 2063 6400 An international arts centre presenting musicals, opera, ballet and dance. Also home to seven of Wales`s top cultural organisations.

Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre website Britannia Park, Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay • Tel (029) 2046 3833 Also known as the tube, it's the first place for visitor information. It also houses a superb unique model of the bay. Open daily.

Techniquest website Stuart Street, Cardiff Bay • Tel (029) 2047 5475 Techniquest Science Discovery Centre has over 150 interactive exhibits for a great day out that will keep the whole family entertained. Visitors can also enjoy fascinating live demonstrations in the Science Theatre, or visit the Planetarium and explore the Universe. Open daily.

Cardiff Bay Barrage Cardiff Bay • Tel (029) 2087 7900 • website
One of Europe`s most advanced engineering projects, consisting of locks, sluice gates and innovative fish pass is open daily to the public. Access is via Penarth Marina or by Waterbus or Road Train from Mermaid Quay.

Butetown History & Arts Centre 5 Dock Chambers, Bute St • Tel (029) 2025 6757 • website
BHAC collects, preserves and presents the lived history of old Cardiff Bay. The exhibits, books and other materials that they produce draw on the photographs, documents and memories of local people. Open Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm, Weekends and Bank Holidays 11.00am - 4.30pm. Admission Free.

Goleulong 2000 Lightship website Britannia Park, Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay • Tel (029) 2048 7609 Explore the light tower, engine room, cabins, mess room, unique Christian Chapel or relax with light refreshments in the `galley`. Open daily, admission free.

Norwegian Church Arts Centre Harbour Drive • Tel (029) 2045 4899
One of Cardiff`s most distinctive buildings. The former Norwegian Seaman`s Church was rescued from demolition and rebuilt as a cultural centre on Cardiff Bay`s waterfront. The centre has a varied events and exhibitions programme and a cosy Coffee Shop with views over the Bay. Open daily.

Wetlands Reserve Windsor Esplanade • Tel (029) 2087 7900 • website Public access to the reserve is via a gravel walkway which runs from the car park adjacent to St. David’s Hotel or by the path at the far end of Windsor Esplanade, by Cardiff Yatch Club, where there is also a 105 metre long board-walk and viewing area, which is by far the best area for bird watching.

HMS Hamadryad Park Hamadryad Road
Public space overlooking the River Taff, quiet area to relax in or perhaps enjoy a picnic.

Cardiff Cats Waterbus website Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay • Tel 07940 142409 Waterbuses operate a scheduled service throughout the year around the Bay, to the barrage and the city centre.

Cardiff Bay Cruises Mermaid Quay • Tel (029) 2047 2004 • website
Cruise Cardiff Bay`s waterfront, the Rivers Taff and Ely, along the Barrage Embankment and the whole waterfront on one of the `green boats`. Customised and tailor-made selection of cruises available, and times can be arranged to suit.

Road Train website Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay • Tel (029) 2051 2729 Summer service. The Road Train leaves Stuart Street hourly, through the historic port of Cardiff with a full live commentary to the Cardiff Bay Barrage. Departs Mermaid Quay: 11am-5pm every hour; Barrage: 11.30am-5.30pm every hour.

City Sightseeing Tel (029) 2038 4291 • website
Open top bus tours of the city centre and bay. Operates weekends during April - October, daily during the summer. Main bus stop New George Street.

Red Dragon Centre website Hemingway Road, Cardiff Bay • Tel (029) 2025 6261 Leisure complex under one roof with Red Dragon radio, Odeon Cinema, Hollywood Bowl, Evolution nightclub, bars and restaurants. (Formerly Atlantic Wharf Leisure Village.)

Odeon Cinema film times Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay • Tel (029) 2044 2200 Modern 12 screen cinema. (Formerly UCI Cinema.)

Hollywood Bowl Red Dragon Centre • Tel (029) 2047 1444 • website
With 26 lanes and large bar.

Doctor Who Exhibition website • bbc website Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay • Tel 07818 083843 New exhibition based on the BBC TV series filmed in and around Cardiff. Admission charge.

Coal Exchange website Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay • Tel (029) 2049 4917 This prestige venue hosts top concerts, film-shoots, conferences, social and corporate functions.

Cardiff Bay Events events calendar Music, shows, events around the harbourside from Easter to late September.

Shops and Services

Mermaid Quay website Bute Street & Stuart Street, Cardiff Bay • Tel (029) 2048 0077 Selection of bars, restaurants, cafés, shops and services right on the waterfront including Tesco and Nat West bank.

Craft in the Bay website The Flourish, Lloyd George Avenue • Tel (029) 2048 4611 High quality craft including ceramics, textiles, wood, jewellery, ironwork, woven baskets and glass from Makers Guild in Wales members. Admission Free.

Cardiff Bay Retail Park Ferry Road
Includes stores from Asda, Boots, Argos, JJB Sports and more.

IKEA Ferry Road • website
Huge Scandinavian furniture centre.


Food and Drink

Mermaid Quay website Bute Street & Stuart Street, Cardiff Bay • Tel (029) 2048 0077 Selection of bars, restaurants, cafés, shops and services right on the waterfront including Coffee Mania and Cadwaladers Ice Cream Parlour.

Harry Ramsden's Stuart Place • Tel (029) 2046 3334 • website
Fish and chips to take-away or eat in.

Domino's Pizza New George Street • Tel (029) 2045 1851 • website
Freshly made to collect or delivered free.


Most restaurants in the bay are open for food at lunchtimes, pubs and bars are open throughout the day, see these sections for more details.