what's on in cardiff

What's on in Cardiff

Things to do and places to go for kids and adults.


What's on Home

Places to Visit in Cardiff

Cardiff for Kids

Events

Nightlife

Cinema, Theatre, Arts

Shopping

Green Cardiff

Cardiff Bay

Hidden Cardiff

Places to visit in South Wales

Site Map


Visit Cardiff - Europe's newest Capital City

Recommended shops and Local businesses

South Wales Lawn Mowing

Payday Loans

St David's Shopping

Capitol Shopping

 


 

Cardiff's Main Shoping Area

Shopping in Cardiff

Cardiff Shops

Cardiff's renowned shopping Centre is a compact area stretching from around Queen Street (above) to Saint Mary Street/ High Street and the Hayes a few hundred yards away. As well as the usual run of national chains, there are also several well-preserved Edwardian arcades which house smaller independent retailers, specialist (and weird) shops, head shops, record shops, boutiques and cafes.

cafe in shopping arcade

These early versions of the indoor shopping centre make shopping a pleasure even on a rainy day and are a refreshing alternative to the 'sameness' of the mainstream shops. Take a stroll and buy anything from a hand carved lovespoon to a new fetish outfit!

There's a great selection of pubs and bars in the town centre so you're never too far from a pint if you want to take a break from the retail experience!

independent shops

Arcade Fire

Shopping in Cardiff is a pleasant change from the homogenised Mall experience and although there's no free parking these days, the charges are reasonable.

Train services are also frequent and both main stations are close to the shopping areas.

The covered market is worth a visit, it's open every day apart from Sundays and it has an atmosphere all of its own (depending on wind direction) with snack bars nestling cheek by jowl with book and record shops. Find fish of both the fresh and tropical variety, pet and edible rabbits, models and bibles. Have your fortune told, meet a plastic Elvis and buy a pig's head - all under one roof!


Bookshops

As well as the main chains of Waterstones, WH Smith etc, Cardiff is home to a number of smaller second-hand and specialist Bookshops.

If you're a bibliophile and have a spare day don't miss out on visiting Hay-on-Wye, the 'town of books' about an hour and a half away.

Cardiff Book shop

As the Millenium Stadium is right in the centre of town, Cardiff's shops are a popular destination for spouses on match days.


 

2010

What's on in Cardiff this Spring. Your one-stop guide.

Capitol Centre

One of the many friendly pubs in Cardiff's shopping  area

Shop and sup

The city centre boasts a varied collection of pubs ranging from historic 'locals' to giant theme pubs.

Most will serve food up untill early evening to cater for shoppers. They tend to cater for drinkers after about 6pm but if you are still peckish, some serve food all night.

Of course there are many restaurants to choose from particularly around Saint Mary Street and High Street.

The old Brains brewery and Mill lane have been gentrified into the 'Cafe Quarter' where you can get all kind of eats and even dine al fresco in the summer.