Car Hire Cardiff - Mini guide to Cardiff
Wales’ principle city is an unusual mix of modern commercial areas and historic attractions. Several redevelopments have added a lively character to the city and it serves as a good launching point for the Pembrokeshire coastline and National Parks inland.
The impressive Cardiff Castle, built almost nine hundred years ago, is the centrepiece of the city today. Within its gothic towers is an opulent and lavish interior, well worth visiting. Settlement in this location can be traced back to Roman times and several ancient structures are found within the city.
Cardiff sits along a re-developed waterfront, and it is here you can appreciate the city’s strong maritime past. Today several sculptures and elegant pieces of architecture have been placed here and it has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, offering great shopping and first-class dining, accommodation and entertainment. Cardiff is a clean and modern city, with fine wide streets and many ‘green’ areas. Llandaf Cathedral is one of the city’s most striking buildings.
Just out of the centre is the enormous, ultra-modern Millennium stadium, built for the 1999 World Cup rugby. The National Museum of Wales, and the Welsh Folk museum are other worthwhile attractions.
Cosmeston Park Medieval Village, near the city, is a curious re-creation of rural Welsh life from days gone by, complete with farm buildings, bakehouse, peasant's cottages and domestic animals.
The lovely Pemborkeshire coastline is easily reachable by hire car, typified by quaint little fishing villages and cosy B&Bs. Wales conjures up images of rolling hills and valleys, and these can be seen best in the Brecon Beacons national park, not far north of Cardiff.
Most visitors to Cardiff arrive on a three-hour train ride from London’s Paddington station, which is conveniently linked to Heathrow airport by an express train. The rail service is fast, regular and comfortable. By car the journey takes longer, heading out on the A4 from London.
The major suburbs in Cardiff are: Canton, Cathays, Coryton, Culverhouse Cross, Ely, Grangetown, Heath, Llandaff, Roath and Whitchurch.
