Cardiff Mini Guide
Many people make the mistake of thinking that Cardiff will be similar to the rest of Britain, but the capital city of Wales is unique.
Visitors who arrive by air will fly into Cardiff International Airport which has flights to and from Great Britain, Europe,
Spain and America. Flybe and Thomson Airways are some of the low cost carriers to operate from Cardiff. It is possible to take the train into Cardiff Central and pick up your Rhino hire car from there too.
Arriving in Cardiff, the signs are written in Welsh which could be an obstacle to drivers unfamiliar with the country, so it would be wise to have a good map with you. Cardiff, which is located in the south of Wales on the
Bristol Channel shoreline, has recently benefited from an extensive makeover that transformed this industrial town from when coal was shipped around the world. Walking along the main waterfront of Cardiff you will see impressive buildings, art installations and a promenade which are all very pleasing on the eye. The Wales Millennium Centre and the House of the National Assembly give this area a feeling of gravitas.
Car hire is the easiest way to see this beautiful area, especially as it allows you to get into the hills and countryside. The quickest way to get to Cardiff from
London and the south east of England is to take the M4 across the Severn Bridge and this is a scenic journey taking around three hours. You will have to pay to enter Wales however, and the bridge toll is currently £6.20 for cars to be paid in cash only.
One sight worth seeing is the 2,000 year old Cardiff Castle which was built in Roman times and has a moat and tower. Also you are unlikely to go anywhere in Cardiff without seeing a rugby match being watched as the locals are mad about the game. If you can get a ticket to the Millennium Stadium to watch the national team play you are sure to have an unforgettable experience.
If you go to Cardiff with your children you may wish to entertain them by taking them to see the Doctor Who Museum in the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay, which has all sorts of props and displays from the series. A fun event for the whole family is the Big Weekend at the end of July in which all sorts of rides and attractions come to the centre of the city.
Cardiff is situated in the county of Glamorgan and is the capital of Wales. Cardiff International Airport is situated in Rhoose approximately 20km from the city centre. Taxis and car rental is readily available at the airport. Cardiff Airport has a rail link to Cardiff Central Station and a bus also operates between these two points. The airport can be reached by car from junction 33 of the M4 motorway.
Cardiff has many famous buildings which are well worth a visit including Cardiff Castle, The Millennium Stadium, Pierhead Building, the National Assembly for Wales and the Wales Millennium Centre. Many concerts, often featuring world renowned artists, are performed in the city at the St David’s Hall, the Cardiff International Arena and occasionally the Millennium Stadium. The Millennium Stadium is also the venue for international football and rugby matches. The city centre has excellent shopping facilities.
Cardiff Bay has undergone a recent expansion and is now one of Europe’s foremost waterfront developments and, together with the Cardiff barrage, is well worth a visit. There are boat trips, excellent restaurants and indoor and outdoor entertainment. Cardiff also has many urban green parkland areas. For hikers or cyclists the Taff Trail starts in Cardiff Bay and follows the River Taff through the Welsh valleys and the Brecon National Park and finishes in the market town of Brecon. Cycle hire is available. The complete walk is about 88km but shorter sections can be undertaken. Alternatively a car ride to the Brecon National Park is an enjoyable day out.
Car hire Cardiff Airport is a fantastic way to see this much improved airport into which much investment has been poured into over the last ten years. Why not book early for the best selection?