'Cardiff is a buzzing, friendly and diverse city, attracting people from all over the world.'
Croeso i Gymru! Welcome to Wales!
The Welsh capital, Cardiff, is different from other UK cities. For a start, it is small (just 320,000 inhabitants), vibrant and easy to get to know. One of the most affordable UK cities, it still boasts the cultural and recreational amenities of an ambitious and progressive capital.
Expect to hear the unfamiliar language of Welsh, but don't worry about not understanding - Cardiff is famed for its helpful locals and warm welcome. The city’s transport links are also very useful: it has its own international airport and the hourly high-speed train service to London takes less than two hours.
Cardiff holds the perfect balance for nature lovers too, with more green space per person than any other major UK city, including 25 parks. The city is sandwiched between stunning coastlines to the west and the ethereal Brecon Beacons national park to the north. With the rugged Gower peninsula and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (the only coastal national park of its kind in the UK) both short journeys away, south and south-west Wales simply ooze possibilities.
History in motion
Founded in 1883, Cardiff University offers modern facilities within Portland-stone buildings on tree-lined avenues, a stone’s throw from the city’s elegant civic centre. The city is very flat, making it ideal to cycle or walk to and from your place of study. The student areas of Cathays and Roath are packed with friendly cafes, shops and restaurants.
Another characteristic of Cardiff is its ability to adapt. It was proclaimed a city relatively late (in 1905) and only became Wales’s capital in 1955, yet its significance as a cultural, economic and political hub can be traced back thousands of years. In ancient times, the city was part of a territory inhabited by Celtic tribes. The language they spoke evolved into modern-day Welsh and today Cardiff is a bilingual city.
Until the early 19th century, Cardiff remained a relatively small market town. It expanded rapidly during the Industrial Revolution, thanks to worldwide demand for Welsh coal. At its peak Cardiff became the world’s busiest port, transporting its precious commodity to destinations across the globe. The city is also home to Cardiff Castle which contains ancient Roman remains.
The docks themselves are a testament to how Cardiff is still adapting. The area has totally transformed over the past decade and Cardiff Bay is now Europe’s largest waterfront regeneration project. You can sail on the freshwater lake, cycle around the bay, or pay a visit to the impressive Wales Millennium arts and entertainment Centre. Also in the bay area lies the National Assembly for Wales’s iconic Senedd building, a source of immense pride for the whole country.
A stroll round nearby Butetown will lead you to Tiger Bay, an area which became derelict following the 1930s depression. At its peak in the early 20th century, dockworkers and sailors from more than 45 nationalities settled and helped create its unique multicultural character. Today, its empty streets are a historical reminder of its economic fall from grace.
A world-class city
Despite its compact size, Cardiff is a truly international destination and boasts many of the features you’d expect of a capital city. Home to many large employers, it was also designated the world’s first Fairtrade Capital City. A number of innovative industries, such as biotechnology, information and communication technologies, and financial and business services are also based here.
Perhaps more significant to many locals, is the city’s international sporting renown. Glamorgan County Cricket Club’s Swalec Stadium lies in the middle of the peaceful Sophia Gardens park. The profile of cricket in Wales rose significantly following the battling opening Test of the 2009 Ashes series between England and Australia, the first Test ever to be played in the country. Its success set a precedent for more international fixtures, including the first Test of the 2011 summer, between England and Sri Lanka.
European champions
Cardiff got another boost in 2009 when it was named European City of Sport – a political triumph for such a small nation. But it is still rugby that dominates with the Welsh people’s obsession with sport. Whenever the national team gears up to play on the hallowed turf of the Millennium Stadium (the world’s second largest stadium) the city explodes into colour, noise and excitement that needs to be seen to be believed.
Following huge investment in the Cardiff Bay area in the 1990s and 2000s, affluence has spread right across the city. And while the city has a growing reputation for fine dining and trendy wine bars, Cardiff’s traditional roots continue to thrive. Cosy, old-fashioned pubs and ornate Victorian arcades nestle comfortably between international restaurants, funky bars, state-of-the-art shopping centres and hip nightclubs. And for those with more traditional musical tastes, the Wales Millennium Centre is home to the Welsh National Opera’s extensive repertoire of performances.
So check out a top band at Cardiff University Students’ Union; go on a quick jaunt to Southerndown for a dip in the sea; take a trek among the Brecon Beacons before relaxing to some cool jazz at the annual Brecon Jazz Festival; visit one of the UK’s best farmers’ markets; eat out at Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay before sipping cocktails on Mill Lane; chill out at the Big Weekend, the UK’s biggest free outdoor music festival.
Cardiff holds the perfect balance for nature lovers too, with more green space per person than any other major UK city, including 25 parks. The city is sandwiched between stunning coastlines to the west and the ethereal Brecon Beacons national park to the north. With the rugged Gower peninsula and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (the only coastal national park of its kind in the UK) both short journeys away, south and south-west Wales simply ooze possibilities.
History in motion
Founded in 1883, Cardiff University offers modern facilities within Portland-stone buildings on tree-lined avenues, a stone’s throw from the city’s elegant civic centre. The city is very flat, making it ideal to cycle or walk to and from your place of study. The student areas of Cathays and Roath are packed with friendly cafes, shops and restaurants.
Another characteristic of Cardiff is its ability to adapt. It was proclaimed a city relatively late (in 1905) and only became Wales’s capital in 1955, yet its significance as a cultural, economic and political hub can be traced back thousands of years. In ancient times, the city was part of a territory inhabited by Celtic tribes. The language they spoke evolved into modern-day Welsh and today Cardiff is a bilingual city.
Until the early 19th century, Cardiff remained a relatively small market town. It expanded rapidly during the Industrial Revolution, thanks to worldwide demand for Welsh coal. At its peak Cardiff became the world’s busiest port, transporting its precious commodity to destinations across the globe. The city is also home to Cardiff Castle which contains ancient Roman remains.
The docks themselves are a testament to how Cardiff is still adapting. The area has totally transformed over the past decade and Cardiff Bay is now Europe’s largest waterfront regeneration project. You can sail on the freshwater lake, cycle around the bay, or pay a visit to the impressive Wales Millennium arts and entertainment Centre. Also in the bay area lies the National Assembly for Wales’s iconic Senedd building, a source of immense pride for the whole country.
A stroll round nearby Butetown will lead you to Tiger Bay, an area which became derelict following the 1930s depression. At its peak in the early 20th century, dockworkers and sailors from more than 45 nationalities settled and helped create its unique multicultural character. Today, its empty streets are a historical reminder of its economic fall from grace.
A world-class city
Despite its compact size, Cardiff is a truly international destination and boasts many of the features you’d expect of a capital city. Home to many large employers, it was also designated the world’s first Fairtrade Capital City. A number of innovative industries, such as biotechnology, information and communication technologies, and financial and business services are also based here.
Perhaps more significant to many locals, is the city’s international sporting renown. Glamorgan County Cricket Club’s Swalec Stadium lies in the middle of the peaceful Sophia Gardens park. The profile of cricket in Wales rose significantly following the battling opening Test of the 2009 Ashes series between England and Australia, the first Test ever to be played in the country. Its success set a precedent for more international fixtures, including the first Test of the 2011 summer, between England and Sri Lanka.
European champions
Cardiff got another boost in 2009 when it was named European City of Sport – a political triumph for such a small nation. But it is still rugby that dominates with the Welsh people’s obsession with sport. Whenever the national team gears up to play on the hallowed turf of the Millennium Stadium (the world’s second largest stadium) the city explodes into colour, noise and excitement that needs to be seen to be believed.
Following huge investment in the Cardiff Bay area in the 1990s and 2000s, affluence has spread right across the city. And while the city has a growing reputation for fine dining and trendy wine bars, Cardiff’s traditional roots continue to thrive. Cosy, old-fashioned pubs and ornate Victorian arcades nestle comfortably between international restaurants, funky bars, state-of-the-art shopping centres and hip nightclubs. And for those with more traditional musical tastes, the Wales Millennium Centre is home to the Welsh National Opera’s extensive repertoire of performances.
So check out a top band at Cardiff University Students’ Union; go on a quick jaunt to Southerndown for a dip in the sea; take a trek among the Brecon Beacons before relaxing to some cool jazz at the annual Brecon Jazz Festival; visit one of the UK’s best farmers’ markets; eat out at Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay before sipping cocktails on Mill Lane; chill out at the Big Weekend, the UK’s biggest free outdoor music festival.
To have a great time just head for Cardiff, ‘the epitome of cool’ as the Lonely Planet travel guide described it with good reason. Lechyd da! (Cheers!)
Useful links
You can use the Education UK Search tool - to the top-right of the Education UK website - to find a place to study in this region that interests you.
And take a look at our own interactive map of the UK to explore the area.
You can find out more about different regions in the UK on Visit Britain.
And take a look at our own interactive map of the UK to explore the area.
You can find out more about different regions in the UK on Visit Britain.
