Cardiff Serviced Apartments Out & About

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At Serviced City Pads we like to give some hints on tips as to what to do once you have booked your serviced apartment in Cardiff and are beginning to plan your stayin Cardiff, whether you are visiting Cardiff for Business or pleasure. Of course, this is not an exhaustative list of what to do when you arrive in Cardiff but can be used as a starting point to researching your stay.

There is no doubt that Cardiff is a revitalised city that has benefitted from huge investment over the previous decade. Whether you are working in Cardiff or just visiting for a long weekend, it is a city that will leave a lasting impression on you because of it's proud history, culture and mix of classical and modern architecture.

LOCATION AND GETTING AROUND

Cardiff is the Capital city of Wales and located in the Southern part of the principality. Cardiff is easy to get to by car, air, coach or rail.

Cardiff is located on the M4 which means driving to Cardiff from London is easy, head west out of London on the M4 and keep going. From Scotland, Northern England and the Midlands you will use the M6 and M5 before picking up the M4 which yakes you into Wales. Please note that there is a toll payable on entering Wales (over the Severn Bridge) but not payable on exit.

Cardiff does have it's own international airport (many direct flights to other UK and European cities which makes a visit to Cardiff easy if you are flying). A rail link service operates from the airport to Cardiff central.

Bristol airport is also within a one hour drive of Cardiff.

Travelling to Cardiff from London on the train takes less than 2 hours and there are trains into Cardiff Central every 30 minutes. You can also travel to Cardiff on direct trains from Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and Southampton as well as other smaller South West English towns.

National Express also runs good value coach services from many UK cities to and from Cardiff. There is also a flightlink service to Gatwick and Heathrow airports in London.

Once you have booked you apartment in Cardiff and arrived you will find a compact city that is best seen on foot. All major attractions and shops are within a few minutes walk of eachother.

EATING OUT IN CARDIFF

As an up and coming, bustling city you would expect to find a wide range of places to eat in Cardiff, and you won't be disappointed. Here are just a few of the options that you might want to stay during you stay in Cardiff.

*Woods Brasserie: Contemporay dining at the Pilotage building in Cardiff bay. To make a reservation www.woods-brasserie.com.

*Garcon: LIke a number of the bars mentioned Garcon is located in Mermaid quay, Cardiff bay. This is a traditional french brasserie seriving traditional french food. For more info www.garcon-resto.co.uk.

*Thai House: Established in 1985 The Thai House was the first thai restaurant in Wales. One of the best restaurants in Wales. To book a table go to www.thaihouse.biz or call 029 2038 7404.

SPORT IN CARDIFF

Cardiff is a city mad about sport with a huge passion for Rugby Union as well as Football. Cardiff used to be famous for the Arms Park, and that has been replaced by the fantastic Millennium Stadium, home to Wales Football and Rugby Union teams. It was also the temporary home for several FA Cup finals during the rebuilding of Wembley stadium.

Check out the Millennium Stadium website www.millenniumstadium.com for fixtures and ticket details.

Cardiff City FC play in the Championship division of English football (they are the only non English football club to win the FA Cup and appeared in the FA Cup final as recently as 2008). The "Bluebirds" as they are known have recently moved to a brand new purpose built stadium. If you are interested in going to watch a match during your visit to Cardiff check out the Club website at www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk.

CARDIFF SHOPPING

During your trip to Cardiff you will be able to shop until you drop. Investment in Cardiff has meant that there are a number of new shopping experiences that have been developed over the previous decade.

*St David's shopping centre: This city centre shooping centre currently offers 60 shops (brands such as BHS, Phones4u and Marks and Spencer). There is currently (2009) a huge development (known as St Davids 2) that will enlargen the centre to house 160 shops and transform shopping in Cardiff. The extended centre is due to open towards the end of 2009.

*Capitol shopping centre: Currently claiming to be Cardiff's premier shopping centre and situated next to Queen Street train station. Shops include Hobbs, Coast and Karen Millen. For more information go to www.capitol-shopping-centre.co.uk.

*Queens Arcade: Home to a number of boutiques and jewellers. Also situated on Queens Street in Cardiff city centre. For more info www.queensarcade.info.

*Riverside farmers market: Locally produced food from farmers in Cardiff. Situated on the banks of the River Taff, opposite the Millennium stadium. For times go to www.riversidemarket.org.uk.

CARDIFF VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

There is plenty to see and do during your stay in Cardiff. Please see listed below some of Cardiff's must see attractions during your visit.

*The Tube (Cardiff Bay visitor centre): Home to exhibitions and displays on the history and development of Cardiff bay. The Tube (known as that because of it's tube shaped design) includes a full scale model of the entire city. Entry is free. www.cardiffharbour.com.

*Cardiff Castle: With over 2,000 years of history and situated in the heart of central Cardiff. The castle is a must see during your Cardiff visit. For more information: www.cardiffcastle.com.

*Millennium Stadium: (Please see "Sport in Cardiff" section)

*National Museum Cardiff: is situated in the heart of Cardiff civic centre, housing art, history geology and archaeology. A fantastic journey through the evolution of Waled. This museum has been open since 1927. Tou should definitely visit this Museum if you are staying in Cardiff for more than a couple of days. For more information go to: www.museumwales.ac.uk.

CARDIFF BARS AND NIGHTCLUBS

Cardiff is known as a city where you can party hard during your stay, but it offers sophisticated bars where you can chill out with a cocktail as well as full on nightclubs where you can dance until the small hours. Here are just a few of the places you might want to check out once you have booked your Cardiff apartment. The Bars in Cardiff are located primarily in 2 locations - City Centre and Cardiff bay. Some examples are listed below:

City Centre bars:

*City Arms: Possibly the best pub in Cardiff to watch the rugby with a pint. Situated on Quay Street.

*Cantaloop Bar and Kitchen: Great place for a drink and a snack. Situated at Park Place.

*Yard Bar and Kitchen: Situated in the heart of Cardiff's old brewery Quarter. Yard is part of the original Brains brewery and situated on St Mary Street.

Cardiff bay bars:

*Salt: Located at Mermaid Quay, this is a great spot to look out over Cardiff bay. Enjoy a cocktail on the tearrce. For more detailed information go to www.saltcardiff.com.

*Terra Nova: Another sophisticated bar situated in the redeloped dock area of Cardiff bay. Call 029 2045 0947.

*The Wharf: Great bar for work functions or a relaxing drink in Cardiff bay: www.thewharfcardiff.co.uk.

CARDIFF THEATRES

Once you have arrived in Cardiff you are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a theatre. Here are few of the larger theatres that Cardiff has to offer it's visitor.

*Wales Millennium Centre: This is an Arts centre for musicals, plays, ballet and dance, situated in Cardiff bay. www.wmc.org.uk.

*Sherman theatre: Contemporary theatre. For more information go to www.shermancymru.co.uk.

*New Theatre: Sitauted in Park Place, Cardiff city centre, this is home to such productions as Joseph and his amazing technicolor dreamcoat. www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk.

*St David's Hall: This is the National Concert Hall of Wales showing a wide variety of artictic performances. For more information www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk.

We hope that once you have booked your serviced apartment in Cardiff with Serviced City Pads that you find this part of the website useful when planning your stay or after you have arrived in Cardiff. Enjoy your visit!