Top Things to do in Cardiff
Top Restaurants in Cardiff
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What to do and see in Cardiff, Wales: The Best Nature & Parks
The Welsh capital may have begun its life as a Roman fort, but it's since become a bustling city. Where the fort once stood, Cardiff Castle has held court since the 11th century. It remains a central presence in the city, now full of lively art and music venues, hip boutiques, fun bars and modern hotels. Even with so many new and exciting things to see, the National History Museum is still the most visited attraction in Wales. Don't be the only visitor who plays hooky!
Restaurants in Cardiff
1. Fluidity Freerun Academy
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Bespoke indoor Parkour/Freerunning center in the heart of Cardiff. Classes, courses , birthday parties and more as well as open session time! Qualified coaches with unrivalled experience, in the largest (and one of only) indoor centers in the UK! Perfect for first timers, up through to advanced practitioners. Ninja Warrior equipment, climbing equipment, calisthenics area, foam pit, sprung floor and soft play equipment to help you in your chosen practises. Perfect for freerunning, acrobatics, ninja warrior/calisthenics training and plenty more!
Reviewed By 169willa - Cardiff, United Kingdom
Loads of varied Parkour spots alongside a massive sprung floor and a foam pit. Friendly, helpful staff and a professional standard of safety. Top place all round.
2. Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve
3. Bute Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,822 reviews
Bute Park & Arboretum is an extensive area of mature parkland that forms the 'green heart' of Cardiff. Equivalent to 80 football pitches in size, Bute Park is one of the largest urban parks in Wales. As well as beautiful flowers and an abundance of paths and tracks to explore, visitor facilities include an Education Centre & Visitor Centre (open daily 12 - 3pm), 3 cafes, toilets, a woodland play trail, wooden sculptures and fitness equipment. There is a varied events programme, see Bute-park.com for current listings. A Grade 1 listed landscape, it contains designed views and interesting built heritage such as the remains of a medieval friary and the ever-popular Animal Wall. The magnificent arboretum contains “champion” (tallest or widest of their species in UK) and many rare and beautiful trees. The site is managed by Cardiff Council and benefitted from a £5.6M restoration project between 2010 - 2014, supported by a £3.1M grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Reviewed By firsthwelshman - Accra, Ghana
A huge and beautiful park in the centre of the city. Located alongside the River Taff and behind the wonderful Cardiff Castle, it has miles of walks, the site of the ancient Black Friars Monastery, a super café alongside the river and access to the lovely area of Pontcanna and Pontcanna playing fields and the home of the Glamorgan County Cricket club. A wonderful location for a picnic, or a stroll from shopping with some locally purchased sandwiches. Excellent views and photo opportunities that also include and ancient stone circle. Truly magical.
4. Rhondda Heritage Park, The Welsh Mining Experience
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 258 reviews
Rhondda Heritage Park is situated on the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery, once a thriving coal mine now preserved as a tourist attraction. With a brand new museum and Italian themed cafe for 2017, plus added experiences on the Black Gold Experience guided tour. Rhondda Heritage Park also hosts an array of events from Santa’s Toy Mine & X Scream to Classic Car shows & Family History Days. Located just outside Pontypridd in Rhondda Cynon Taf
Reviewed By annewK3036OE - Caerphilly County, United Kingdom
Magical. The mine is full of wrapped parcels, wonderful Christmas decorations & fairy lights. Father Christmas was brilliant, funny & full of information about his reindeer & the North Pole. The miner guide led the children & many adults through the tunnels sharing jokes & singing songs whilst they searched for Father Christmas. Excellent gifts for the children & a hot drink with a mince pie for the grown ups, this is the best Santa experience I have ever been to.
5. Cardiff Bay Barrage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 685 reviews
This dam transformed Cardiff's landscape from unsightly, marshy mudflats to dry, fertile land surrounding a pretty lake.
Reviewed By ginag602017 - Telford, United Kingdom
Beautiful walk on a beautiful November day, lots of places to stop and sit for a while. Lots of places to have a drink and something to eat, there is a play park at one point. Lovely to stop and watch the different boats. There are toilets at two points along the way, you can skate board, roller blade or skate, kids can go on their scooters and you can bike ride as well all safely. The bridge does open but the barriers come across first. You can get different boat rides just ask the price first as we got on one only to find out it was a fiver each as we read it was three pound each.
6. Twmbarlwm Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By awb20162016 - Wareham, United Kingdom
This is worth the climb, and the path north to Pontypool is good walking. You can see for miles beyond the valley towns, although on a hot day the haze prevented me seeing the Bristol Channel and the Brecon Beacons
7. Roath Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,053 reviews
Reviewed By Valleyschick1 - Rhondda Cynon Taf, United Kingdom
Following an incredible few hours of shopping at Cardiff we decided to visit Roath Park on the way home. We have been regular visitors to the Park for years and there is a fantastic lake with boats to hire (lots of ducks and swans to feed), a children's play ground and lots of walks to enjoy. There are also several gardens including the botanic garden and the wild garden. As well as a bowling green, tennis courts, basketball court, an historic pond, ice-cream kiosk and a cafe selling snacks and drinks at very reasonable prices. We usually bring a pack lunch, but on this occasion we picked up fish and chips from Youngers Fish Shop in Birchgrove, Cardiff. I would definitely recommend a visit, as this is a great day out.
8. Cathays Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By cardiffr2015 - Cardiff, United Kingdom
This park is a gem, hidden away in the Civic Centre. The flowers are always immaculate and this green space gives those working in the city a chance to enjoy nature a short step away from their desks. Ideal for picnics after visiting the National Museum in the warmer months.
9. Victoria Park
10. Mountain View Ranch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 424 reviews
Running wild in the great outdoors, exploring, discovering and new adventures! This is what kids (and adults) love to do most, the fresh air and exercise along the way is just an added bonus. Over one hundred acres of fresh air fueled fun for all the family! The Ranch is all about exploration and discovery in the great outdoors! Here at Mountain View Ranch there are no boring walks or complaints of 'are we there yet' or 'can we go home', instead there is a something new to discover around every corner, whether it be an amazing tree house, a magical fairy forest, visiting our beautiful unicorn or a campfire with marshmallow toasting or a hobbit house, you will find something to engage all ages! It's good, old fashioned, nostalgic play at its best! The Ranch also hosts Wales' only officially licensed Gruffalo Trail! Your children will be enchanted as they follow the Gruffalo's footprints along the trail!
Reviewed By robbiea157 - Newport, United Kingdom
This is a great day out, lovely walk around the Gruffalo trail with the whole family. Through the woods and fields exploring, following the signs and exploring. Lovely play areas too and a nice little cafe at the end for coffee and food. Lovely family time.
