The capital of Wales since only 1955, Cardiff has embraced its new role with vigour, emerging as one of Britain's leading urban centres in the 21st century.
Cardiff CastleCASTLE
Cardiff Castle is, quite rightly, the city's leading attraction. There's a medieval keep at its heart, but it's the later additions that capture the imagination of many visitors: during the Victorian era extravagant mock-Gothic features were grafted onto this relic, including a clock tower and a lavish banqueting hall.
Wales Millennium CentreARTS CENTRE
The centrepiece and symbol of Cardiff Bay's regeneration is the superb Wales Millennium Centre, an architectural masterpiece of stacked Welsh slate in shades of purple, green and grey topped with an overarching bronzed steel shell. Designed by Welsh architect Jonathan Adams, it opened in 2004 as Wales' premier arts complex, housing major cultural organisations such as the Welsh National Opera, National Dance Company, National Orchestra, Literature Wales, HiJinx Theatre and Ty Cerdd (Music Centre of Wales).
Doctor Who ExperienceEXHIBITION
The huge success of the reinvented classic TV series Doctor Who, produced by BBC Wales, has brought Cardiff to the attention of sci-fi fans worldwide. City locations have featured in many episodes, and the first two series of the spin-off Torchwood were also set in Cardiff Bay. Capitalising on Timelord tourism, this interactive exhibition is located right next to the BBC studios where the series is filmed – look out for the Tardis hovering outside.
BUS
National Express travels to London (£19, 3½ hours), Birmingham (£27, 2¾ hours) and Bristol (£6, 1¼ hours).
TRAIN
Arriva Trains Wales (www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk) operates all train services in Wales. Direct services from Cardiff include London Paddington (£39, 2¼ hours) and Bristol (£13, 35 minutes).
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