Cardiff the capital city of Wales makes the perfect day trip from London. For those of you unfamiliar with the geography of the UK, Wales is a small country off the west coast of England. Although Wales is part of the mainland of Great Britain, it is officially recognised as a different country from England, and this immediately becomes apparent when you visit. There are many interesting facts about Wales including that Wales has their own language, flag, government, an extensive history and many cultural traditions including songs, dances, and food. There are plenty of things to do in Cardiff on a day trip from London with many unique sights to see, drinks to enjoy, and friendly locals to meet. If you have some time, be sure to chat to the Welsh people for insider recommendations such as where to find the best Welsh Cakes or even to learn a few words of Welsh! If you like the sound of Wales and want to extend your stay why not go on a Wales road trip.
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How to get to Cardiff from London
Cardiff is approximately a 3.5–4-hour bus ride from London, so plan to leave as early as possible for a full day in a whole new country! For the ultimate day trip to Cardiff from London we recommend getting the 8am bus from London Victoria coach station to Cardiff University which is near to the beautiful Bute Park and a short walk to the main roads of the city centre. The bus journey costs around £30 return and can be booked with any of the large national coach services such as National Express or Megabus.
You can also get a train from London Paddington Station to Cardiff Central Station which is located on Central Square in the heart of the city, this costs around £80 return and takes under 2 hours. Alternatively you can book a day trip to Cardiff from London package tour which includes a guided tour around Cardiff once you arrive. Check train times and ticket prices here.
One of the best ways to get around in Cardiff on a day trip from London is a hop on, hop off bus tour. This costs around £20 and the ticket is valid for 24 hours from purchase. The hop-on hop-off bus has 11 stops on its route which are Cardiff Castle, National Museum of Wales, Fitzalan Place, Norwegian Church, Cardiff Bay, Mermaid Quay, Techniquest, Craft In The Bay, Lloyd George Avenue, St Mary’s Street and Principality Stadium. Perfect for seeing the best sights in Cardiff.
For more active tourists or if the weather is favourable then you may want to experience a walking tour around Cardiff to take in all the sights. Walking tours usually last around 2 hours and are a great way to see the main sights around the city and learn the history of the place without using up your whole day.
Places to See in Cardiff
Cardiff Castle
The main attraction of Cardiff is without a doubt Cardiff Castle which takes around 2-3 hours to fully explore.
The site of Cardiff Castle on top of a hill in the city centre was originally used as a Roman fort from as early as the 1st century but back then it was a much larger area. The Normans took over the site in the 11th century and constructed the Keep that still dominates the Castle Green to this day, the rest of the castle and grounds have undergone several upgrades since then.
The medieval Lords of Glamorgan began working on the Castle House during the 15th century and the Bute family took over ownership of the Castle and its grounds in the 19th century, they also transformed the House into the Victorian Gothic home it is today.
During second world war the walls of Cardiff Castle were used as air raid shelters for citizens and a reconstruction of the shelters can be seen inside the walls today. On 10th September 1947 the 5th Marquess of Bute gifted Cardiff Castle and the surrounding parkland to Cardiff city and its people.
Entry costs £12.50 for adults, £9 for children, £10 for senior citizens and students and under 5’s can enter for free. Cardiff Castle is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 6pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Black Tower/ South Gate – This is the main entrance through the castle wall which can actually be entered for free, and you can enjoy the castle green and visit the café inside the walls of the castle. If you want to enter any of the Castle buildings however you must pay the visitor’s fee. When you first enter the castle grounds, there is a small museum called the “Firing Line” where you can learn all about The Queens Dragoon Guards and The Royal Welsh military history.
Castle House/Apartments – The oldest parts of the Castle’s residential buildings date from the 1500s but by the time the Bute family inherited Cardiff Castle most of the house was in disrepair and some of the original lodgings were demolished and subsequently rebuilt. The current Victorian-gothic style house is spectacular and although many the original furnishings were removed when the castle was gifted to the people of Cardiff it is still lavishly decorated with pieces from the correct time period. Visit Lord Bute’s Study, The Arab Room, The Banqueting Hall, Small Dining Room, The Library and The Drawing Room.
You can pay a small upgrade fee to your entry ticket and take a guided 50-minute tour of the castle apartments. The tour guide will show you the fascinating history of the house and point out specific details in the décor and the design of the house that you might miss otherwise. You also get access to more incredible rooms that are not open to the public, including The Nursery, Chaucer Room, Bute Bedroom and Roof Garden. The upgrade fee is £4 for adults, £3 for children and £3.50 for seniors and students and is well worth the price.
Clock Tower – The clock tower which sits in the corner of the castle walls was the first part of the Castle House built by the 3rd Marquess of Bute and comprised a suite of bachelor’s rooms, including a bedroom, a servant’s room and the Summer and Winter smoking rooms.
Castle Walls– within the walls of the Castle are tunnels which were used are air raid shelters during the second world war. Venture inside the walls to see the replication of what it was like during that time. You can also enjoy a stroll along 3 sides of the Castle’s outer defences, taking The Battlement Walk from the south wall around the eastern wall and ending at the north gate. You can patrol the castle walls which were reconstructed on the site of the original roman fortress walls which you can still see in the lower sections of the walls.
The Keep – Probably the most iconic part of Cardiff Castle is the shell of original Norman Keep that sits atop a hill in the middle of the castle green within the castle walls. If you are up to it climb the 50 or so steps to the entrance of the Keep and continue up to the viewing platform for a beautiful panoramic view of the city of Cardiff. Historically the Keep would have housed smaller important buildings within its walls.
Principality Stadium
The national stadium of Wales formerly known as Millennium Stadium, is an impressive icon in Wales. Principality mainly hosts rugby games and even though the stadium on the site is relatively new it has been the site of Rugby and football matches for centuries. If you are a sports fan then you won’t want to miss a tour of the stadium where you can visit the Dragon’s Lair aka the teams changing room, walk the players tunnel onto the pitch and lift the trophies in the President’s box. The stadium is hard to miss, and if you’re enjoying a hop-on hop-off tour around Cardiff it’s one of the stopping points.
Fun Fact: The Welsh national rugby team were the first team ever in the world to sing their countries national anthem “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” or Land of my Fathers as it’s called in English, before a sporting event. This historical moment happened on the site of the Principality stadium in 1905 when Wales hosted New Zealand in response to the Kiwi’s performing their native Haka.
Location: Westgate Street, Cardiff
Cost: Adults £13.75, Seniors/Students £11.00, Children £9.90 or you can get a family tour for £41.80
National Museum of Wales
One of the stops on the hop on, hop off bus tour is the National Museum of Wales. Wander around the museum and explore the history of this tiny country with the Evolution of Wales galleries. Admire one of Europe’s finest art collection in the art galleries and get some hands-on exploration of museum objects such as insects, fossils and Bronze Age weapons. The museum also has temporary exhibits so check what’s on before visiting. The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday and most bank holiday Mondays from 10am-5pm and is free to visit making it a great stop for budget travellers. Don’t get it confused with the Museum of Cardiff, which focuses on items with a strong link to Cardiff’s history and have personal stories or memories attached.
Location: Park Place, Cardiff. Next to the Cardiff University.
Cost: Free
Bute Park and Arboretum
Bute Park located in the heart of the city next to Cardiff Castle is the former private gardens of the 3rd Marquess of Bute whose family previously owned Cardiff Castle. The Park is huge at 56 hectares the equivalent to 75 football pitches! It comprises over 130 acres of landscaped gardens and features over 3000 different types of trees including 41 champion trees. Champion trees are acknowledged as the tallest or broadest of their type in the British Isles and Bute Park currently has the most out of any other public park in the UK.
Running through the middle of Bute Park is the River Taff where you can get on one of the river cruises to Cardiff Bay and take in all the history and sights along the way. The river cruises last around 25 minutes each way and cost £5 for adults and £3 for children or you can buy a family ticket for £15.
There are several lovely cafes and tearooms throughout the park, so wherever you end up you can enjoy a nice tea break.
Location: North Road, Cardiff. Cost: Free
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Bay is a beautiful area to see, even for a few minutes from the hop-on hop-off bus tour. If you have time, then we recommend stopping and admiring all the area has to offer. There are plenty of bars, restaurants, and attractions to enjoy around Cardiff Bay for visitors of all ages. Wander around the bay across the sea barrage embankment to Penarth Marina and see the boats docked in the harbour or if time is short take a sightseeing boat tour around the bay.
For nature lovers, visit the Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve on the northern shore of Cardiff Bay. The reserve is home to a diverse number of plants and animals, including invertebrates, fish and other wildlife and there is a dedicated viewing area over the water, which is perfect for bird watching. During the summer Cardiff Bay is transformed into Cardiff Bay Beach, an urban pop-up beach featuring a sandy play area and a shallow swimming area, bars and food stands along with live music and events to enjoy.
Doctor Who Tours
A visit to Cardiff wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Doctor Who which was historically filmed in the city. Although the Doctor who exhibit is now closed, fans of the sci-fi show can still visit the Doctor Who filming locations around the city. You can either take a Doctor Who walking tour around the city or there is also an unofficial Doctor Who bus tour which may be better for visitors on a day trip to Cardiff from London.
Where to Eat in Cardiff
There are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from in Cardiff many of which are within walking distance from Cardiff Castle. If you need help deciding where to go during your limited time in the city we recommend these eateries and pubs for the best food and drinks in Cardiff.
Coffee Barker
This quirky little coffee shop is a great place to start your day trip in Cardiff, you can grab yourself a quick coffee, tea, hot chocolate or something stronger if you prefer with their extensive alcoholic drinks menu. Treat yourself to one of the delicious homemade cakes, traybakes or waffles with a selection of different toppings you won’t be disappointed.
Location: 1-13 Castle Arcade, High Street, Cardiff, CF10 1BU
The Alchemist
This cocktail bar is the perfect stop for a refreshing instagrammable beverage and is a must on any visit to Cardiff. As you sit and sip on one of the many colourful drinks you will notice the unique décor around the bar, ask the friendly staff to tell you the fun stories about the bar and the decorations inside.
Location: 117 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1DY
Revolution Cardiff
Directly across from Cardiff Castle on Castle Street, is Revolution Cardiff. Although part of the larger Revolution chain the Cardiff branch is different from others and is a fun, spacious bar where you can play games such as foosball while you drink. There is also a lovely outdoor seating area which is perfect on a sunny afternoon.
Location: 9-11 Castle Street, Cardiff, CF10 1BS
Perfectly located in Penarth Marina if you are getting the river cruise from Bute Park you can stop here and indulge in some freshly caught seafood at this nautical themed restaurant overlooking the marina. The kitchen is open so you can watch your food being prepared if you wish or grab a cocktail and sit out on the deck and enjoy the atmosphere. We had the mussels which were amazing and the portion was huge, it’s not the cheapest place but it’s worth it for what you get.
Location: Penarth Marina, Penarth Portway, Penarth, Cardiff.
Cardiff Market
Stop by Cardiff Market to sample local delicacies, we highly recommend going to Bakestones for some delicious homemade Welsh Cakes. Welsh cakes are like a flattened scones but taste completely different. The ones at Bakestones are made right on the market stall and come in loads of different flavours like: traditional fruit, plain, coconut, chocolate chip, Nutella and lemon curd! Starting at just 35p each they are cheap and tasty so make sure you grab a couple to take home with you.
Location: 5-7 St Mary Street, Cardiff.
Cardiff Food Tasting Tour
If you can’t decide between all the amazing restaurants and eateries around the city, then maybe you should take a food tasting walking tour around Cardiff. In this tour you can try 6 dishes, some local Welsh dishes and some international dishes at different eating establishments from high-end dining to street food stalls. You will also get to see the main sights of the city. Book your tour here.
Afternoon Tea in Cardiff
Another great foodie option in Cardiff is indulging in a traditional afternoon tea and Cardiff has no shortage of establishments to enjoy one. Here are a few places to try.
The Admiral at Voco St David’s Hotel
Indulge is a selection of savoury and sweet treats at this 5-star hotel located in Cardiff Bay. The traditional afternoon tea with sandwiches, English scones with clotted cream and jam and other sweet cakes and pastries. Served of course with tea or upgrade to prosecco or champagne. Afternoon tea is served from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Havannah Street, Cardiff CF10 5SD
Cost: Prices start at £25.95 per person.
Pettigrew Tea Rooms
This independent tearoom can be found by entrance to Bute Park in the heart of Cardiff City centre and is open from 10am to 6pm 7 days a week. They allow afternoon tea for one if you are a solo traveller and the extensive menu has nine choice for sandwich fillings. Afternoon tea for one comes with two sandwich fillings, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and welsh strawberry jam and a large slice of homemade cake of your choice. Afternoon tea for two or more people comes with a choice of three different sandwich fillings, scones and cake. For groups of five or more people a selection of every sandwich filling is offered.
Location: Castle West Lodge, Bute Park & Arboretum, Castle Street, Cardiff CF10 1BJ
Cost: Afternoon tea for one £17.50 per person, afternoon tea for two £32.50 per couple.
Barker Tea House
A sister business of Coffee Barker mentioned earlier Barker Tea House takes the tea and cake offerings to the next level with their delicious vintage afternoon teas set in a vintage atmosphere. The afternoon tea has a lovely selection of cakes and pastries alongside sandwiches and scones.
Location: 8-12 High Street Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1BB
Cost: £19.50 for 1 person or £17.50 each for two or more people.
Waterloo Tea house
With several locations to choose from you won’t be disappointed. The Waterloo afternoon tea consists of a three-tier cake stand filled with sandwiches and savoury treats, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, cakes, and a pot of tea. They also have over 50 varieties of tea to choose from.
Location: Most central location is 21-25 Wyndham Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1FH
Cost: £15 per person
Now that you know what to see and where to eat in Cardiff and you’ve made a jam-packed schedule, go and enjoy your day trip from London to Cardiff!
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