CARDIFF

Well, the Brontosaurus was almost certainly here first, and the Romans a few centuries later, but in fact CARDIFF is a relatively modern city. Known as "Europe's Youngest Capital", the city grew rapidly from a few hundred inhabitants, mostly fishermen or living on small farms, to more than a quarter of a million, in the space of just 75 years.

CARDIFF’s rapid development resulted from the huge trade in exporting coal, the "new gold", from the magnificent docks that were created out of swamplands to the south of what is now the city centre. Today, the docks are quieter, with just a few cargo and passenger ships calling regularly to the Port of Cardiff, a name respected worldwide, wherever in Asia, America or Australia.

And CARDIFF, the Capital City, Europe’s youngest Capital, (just 50 years old), where Rugby, that strange game played with an oval ball, is on everyone’s lips on International Days, where the shopping is superb, the Castle unmissable, the people friendly, and Brains Beer brewed just across the river from the 73,000 seater Millenium Stadium.

CARDIFF, a lively city of 300,000 people, surrounded by mountains to the north, and the sea to the south, and containing one of the world's finest civic centres. Unmissable shopping in friendly Arcades and wide and clean traffic-free streets. Quality stores side by side with smaller family-friendly shops. Cinemas, theatres, art galleries, museums, night-clubs, rugby, football, University and several colleges, the Welsh Assembly (Parliament), Airport, concert halls, ice skating and much much more !!

TRANSPORT TO AND AROUND CARDIFF

AIR

CARDIFF is very accessible from several major airports, european ferries, the Eurostar Express, and the main M4 Motorway from London. Visit Eurostar on website (TBA) or call +44 (0)8000 96 99 92 (08000 969992) Cardiff International Airport is located 30 minutes west of the city, and has several flight links through Amsterdam Airport to many european airports. Visit http://www.cial.co.uk/

London (Heathrow) is reached in under 2 ½ hours along the M4 Motorway. London (Gatwick) is approximately 4 hours away. Visit http://www.baa.co.uk/

Manchester Airport is about 3 ½ hours by rail. Visit (TBA)

Birmingham Airport is about 3 ¼ hours by rail. Visit http://www.bhx.co.uk/

ROAD. National Express("Flightlink") coaches operate a regular 2 hourly service from Gatwick & Heathrow terminals direct to Cardiff's Central Bus Station. This is the cheapest way of travelling. Visit http://www.nationalexpress.co.uk/ or call +44(0)8705 80 80 80 (08705 808080)

Visit http://www.cardiffbus.com/ for details of Local Services from Cardiff Bus Station, (adjoining Central Rail Station), to all parts of the city and beyond, including Barry, Caerphilly and Penarth.

TRAINS

Great Western Trains operate an hourly 125mph rapid train service from Central London (Paddington), to Cardiff (Central) Station, the journey taking around 2hours.10minutes. This is by far the quickest method of travelling from London to Cardiff, and can cost as little as £25 with a 7 days Advance Booking. Visit http://www.greatwesterntrains.co.uk/ or call +44 (0)870 000 125 (0870 000 125).

For local services from Cardiff Central to Barry, Caerphilly & Penarth. Visit http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ or call +44(0)8457 48 49 50 (08457484950)for times. Bargain Tickets are usually called "Cheap Day Returns, Apex, Super-Saver or Saver Tickets". Each has differing restrictions as to travel times. (Note - Visitors to Britain can buy discounted railcards giving access to the entire U.K. rail network. These MUST be purchased in your home country before travelling to the U.K.)

Visit www.walesflexipass.co.uk for the “Freedom of Wales” Flexipass. These tickets give unrivalled train and bus access to most parts of the Principality, and are incredible value.

RENT-A-CAR.

There are, as in all countries, many car rental firms, some well known, some not. Many will be familiar to you. You should check conditions carefully prior to hiring. In particular, watch for fuel top-up and excess mileage charges, on returning the car. Check the independents and multi-nationals in Yellow Pages who will pre-book you into Cardiff. 

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