Trains to Cardiff Central Station
A vibrant and friendly university city.
Cardiff is renowned for its enchanting shopping arcades, live sports events, thriving creative industry, and flourishing music and food scenes.
Frequently ranked one of the best cities in Europe to live, the city is brimming with historical landmarks, independent festivals, and dozens of acres of parkland to enjoy on foot or by bike.
With Cardiff Central train station located in the city centre, getting to Cardiff by rail is easy - just an hour journey from Bristol and two hours from London. Surrounded by Brecon Beacons National Park to the north and the world-famous coasts of the Gower Peninsular to the west, Cardiff is the perfect destination for a weekend break or week-long getaway!
Top attractions
Boosting some of the best attractions in Wales and the South West, you’ll never be stuck for things to do in Cardiff. Once the location of a Roman fort and Norman keep,
Cardiff Castle lies at the heart of the city, surrounded by the wonderful green spaces of
Bute Park. Just across from the park, the
Principality Stadium offers tours where fans can literally follow in the footsteps of legendary rugby and football stars - from the dressing rooms, along the players’ tunnel and onto the pitch!
Cardiff Bay is also brimming with top attractions, including
Wales Millennium Centre, the proud home for the performing arts in Wales;
the Senedd National Assembly for Wales building designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize-winner Richard Rogers; and the
Doctor Who Experience where sci-fi enthusiasts can step behind the scenes of one of the nation’s most iconic TV shows.
Culture and heritage
Cardiff can be explored on any budget, with plenty of notable cultural and heritage sights to discover for free. Highlights include
St Fagans National History Museum, one of Europe's leading open–air museums offering a true taste of Welsh history and heritage;
National Museum Cardiff situated in the magnificent civic centre housing an array of art and natural history galleries; and
The Cardiff Story displaying Cardiff's momentous history through the eyes of its people.
Shopping
Shopping in Cardiff is an experience not to be missed. Known as the ‘City of Arcades’, Cardiff has more indoor shopping galleries than any other UK city - Victorian, Edwardian and contemporary. Within the picturesque arcades are a variety of shops and boutiques, from record shops and second-hand books to antiques and vintage clothing. A stone’s throw from the arcades is
St. David’s Shopping Centre, one of the largest shopping centres in the UK and home to a number of global designer brands.
Food and drink
Cardiff's food scene is booming, with a continuous stream of new street food festivals, independent cafes, and stylish restaurants and bars gracing the city each month. In the city centre, Cardiff Indoor Market is an essential pit stop for those looking to sample traditional Welsh cuisine, where local traders sell everything from Welsh cakes and bara brith to fresh lamb and laver bread. The riverside
Farmers’ Market also serves an assortment of fresh produce and enticing treats each Sunday. Just south of the city, Cardiff Bay is home to
Mermaid Quay, a trendy waterfront lined with bars, pubs and restaurants offering tremendous views of the barrage and Penarth.