Visit Cardiff Bay and see its attractions

Visitors to Cardiff the capital city of Wales should definitely make Cardiff Bay a "must-see" on their list of what to do and where to go. In fact the area has been described as "Europe's most exciting waterfront development."

The work on Cardiff Docklands, once known as "Tiger Bay," has transformed the area into a cosmopolitan centre of tourist attractions, shops, bars, restaurants, arts and entertainment next to the massive freshwater lake that was formed when the Cardiff Barrage was created across the mouths of the rivers Taf and Ely.

Cardiff Bay has many attractions to visit and Techniquest is one of the main ones. This interactive Science Discovery Centre has 150 hands-on exhibition display models and puzzles to solve. The centre also has its own Planetarium and a state-of-the-art Science Theatre.

The distinctive Norwegian Church is now an arts centre that stages exhibitions and events. It has a coffee shop and café that specialises in Scandinavian dishes.

Butetown History and Arts Centre has information on the history of the docklands area with displays, photos, tours and educational programmes. Local history books and other gifts are available to buy.

A good place to do some shopping in Cardiff Bay is known as Mermaid Quay where you will find restaurants, cafés and bars, shops selling the latest fashions, a bank and a supermarket. The Glee Club is a popular comedy venue situated in this part of Cardiff Bay.

The massive red brick building that is a landmark of Cardiff Bay is the Pierhead Building and this has been the home of the Assembly for Wales.

The Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre has been housed in a strange looking building that looks like something out of a science-fiction film and is known as "The Tube" but this centre for information is going to be moved to the Wales Millennium Centre. This centre has a scaled down model of all of Cardiff Bay.

Speaking of science-fiction, many episodes of Dr Who have been filmed in Cardiff including the Cardiff Bay area. A Dr Who exhibition delights visitors and is housed in the Red Dragon centre in the heart of Cardiff Bay.

Classic aliens and monsters from the popular series including a Dalek, an Ice Warrior, Sea Devil, Haemavore and Cyberman are on display, and so are the actual costumes worn by David Tennant and Billie Piper.

The Goleulong Lightship 2000 is a Christian ship with a chapel that is open to the public. You can see the cabins, mess room, light tower and engine room or enjoy some refreshments on board the boat.

There is a road train that takes passengers across the Cardiff Bay Barrage and into the heart of the docklands. The barrage itself is now open to the public to walk over although you may have to wait when the road goes up to allow seaworthy traffic below to pass through.

There are lawns and flower borders along the barrage road and splendid views back over the lake. The road and path across the Cardiff Barrage brings you to the charming Penarth Marina in the seaside town nearby.

One building you are sure to notice is the St David's Hotel and Spa. It overlooks the bay and depending on your point of view the roof of which either resembles the sales of a boat or the head of an owl.

The lake itself has attracted many water birds and swans, coots and grebes can all be seen swimming on its waters. Cormorants and seagulls are other birds you can expect to see there.

Cardiff Bay tours are of course available and are a good way to see the area.

Cardiff Bay has regular bus services from the city centre and serve Mermaid Quay and Pierhead Street. Cardiff offers "Add-On Fares" for passengers who want to travel by bus and train in the city.

Cardiff Bay has its own train station and trains run from Monday to Saturdays. Connections at Queen Street Station in Cardiff are for the Valley Lines network and Wales and Borders Trains offer further connections and travel routes from Cardiff General Station.

If visiting Cardiff by car you can leave the M4 motorway at Junction 33 and follow signs for Cardiff Bay, or alternatively if approaching from the east, keep to the left at Junction 29 and take the third exit off the A48, again following signs for the Bay.

Copyright © 2010 Steve Andrews. All Rights Reserved.