Cardiff's Civic Buildings  

Architecturally one of the most attractive civic centres in the UK.  The civic buildings of Cardiff are grouped together in parkland (Cathays Park) adjacent ot the Castle in the heart of the city - few cities in the UK offer this combination of functionality and expression of civic pride(made possible by Cardiff's surge to prominence in the nineteenth century, the wealth pouring into the city through King coal, the generosity of the Bute family and vision of the city fathers). 

As a result, it effectively zones this compact city centre into a 'commercial' area (ie shops and offices which lie to the south and south-east of the castle) and 'public' area with gardens, parkland, and public buildings to the north and north-east of the castle.  The portland stone buildings were designed to complement each other in neo classical style with the result that the area has been likened to a 'mini' Washington DC or New Delhi.  

This place is a fascinating walk through the changing mood of architecture and the changing role and fortunes of Cardiff and Wales between the late nineteenth and mid twentieth centuries - from the striking romantic pride and optimism of Edwardian Wales, dizzy with the sudden wealth pouring in from its high quality coal sought the world over, and overflowing with a sense of civic duty and improvement, which stumbled when hit by World War One, which held its own for a bit in the immediate years following World War One and then slumped dramatically and almost catastrophically as cheaper coal became more easily available and it was realised that the Butes and the city fathers had not really planned for life without coal and the wealth it spawned:  you see the beautiful Museum, City Hall, Law Courts and University buildings, and the clear struggle to match them with later, noble but gradually less flamboyant buildings summed up by an awful (though still white stone clad) police headquarters and an uninspirational Government  Office at the north end, now called the Welsh Assembly Government building and home to thousands of Civil Servants - not to be confused with the stunning new National Assembly of Wales Sennedd (debating chamber) in Cardiff Bay - the contrast is itself a sign of the sudden renaissance of Welsh and Cardiffian pride and confidence in the early years of the 21st century.

The buildings centre around a rectangular formal garden, with trees, lawns and flowerbeds, centring on a war memorial.

City Hall

Beautiful ornate clock tower complete with Westminster chimes. The main bulding has a dome topped by a dragon.  You can enter free of charge and find on the first floor a range of marble statues of Welsh heroes, as well as a portrait of the late Diana Princess of Wales who was given the freedom of the city in 1981.

The National Museum

The main building of several sites for the National Museum spread throughout Wales.  This building houses exhibits on the natural history of Wales: pride of place goes to the 'evolution of Wales' exhibit where you walk through the natural history of Wales and learn about volcanoes, earthquakes, dinosaurs and the flora and fauna and wildlife of Wales.

Upstairs is a prized art collection on the themes of Welsh artists, Welsh subjects, and art donated by the people of Wales.  As a result, Gwen and Augustus John, Richard Wilson and Thomas Jones share floorspace with Renoir, Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Botticelli, Sisley, Raudin, Turner, as well as galleries devoted to modern and contemporary artists.

 Please note: substantial refurbishment of the building si signficantly restricting exhibition space in 2007, though partly compensated by a series of temporary exhibits of national and international significance.

Cardiff Castle

Spectacular and flamboyant.  This looks more like something you would expect in Southern Germany or Eastern Europe than Wales.  There has been fortification here for 2000 when the Romans built a fort to defend themselves from attacks by the Irish.  The outer walls follow the shape of the Roman fort and the roman wall can still be seen in places (surrounded by a line of red stone in the wall. 

 The Third Marquis of Bute gave it a multi-million pound makeover in the nineteenth century, gutting the interior of the main building and adding towers and spires.  A tour of the castle (50 mins approxmately) takes you to 8 or so of the very ornate rooms, including the bedrooms, summer / winter rooms, nursery, banqueting hall and library. Gold , jewels, marble, wood and artwork inspired and imported from all over the world are abundant in the decor.

www.cardiffcastle.com

The National History Museum, St Fagans

 A fantastic 100 acre park on the edge of Cardiff filled with rescued, restored and authentically furnished buildings from all over Wales, in order to ilustrate the social history of Wales and its people.  Wales's most vistied heritage attraction and it is not hard to see why:

.http://www.nmgw.ac.uk/en/stfagans/

Llandaff Cathedral 

Two miles north from the castle, it can be reached on foot by following the Taff Trail (which follows the course of the river), or by frequent buses from the central bus station:

http://www.llandaffcathedral.org.uk/

Castell Coch ('The Red Castle')

On the northern edge of the city set in wooded hills.  This small but striking castle was designed by Burgess, responsible for the Cardiff Castle makeover.  It sits atop a much older castle which is now all but hidden beneath the towers of this Bavarian style retreat, intended as a summer house for the Butes but reputedly only slept in once.  The castle can be reached by bus from the city centre and is open every day.

www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

LLancaiach Fawr, Nelson, Nr Cardiff

A sixteenth century Manor House brought to life:

This award winning attraction lies just 25 minutes drive north of Cardiff between the villages of Nelson and Gelligaer, and is easily accessed by taking the A470 from Cardiff (which passes the M4) and exiting at the Nelson turnoff. 

 It is an ideal destination for a half day outing, though it can be done in an hour and a half, if you do not wish to linger in the attractive cafe and gift shop afterwards. The tours of the manor house are conducted by the 'servants' (staying in period and character for the whole of the tour) who are  professional and extremely entertaining.  They greet you at the door of the Manor and accompany you throughout the tour.  On quiet days you may be allowed to tour the house by yourself, though this would mean missing out on the highlight of the experience itself, being the informative and often hilarious interaction between the guides and the visitors.

 The tour is designed to keep young and old captivated throughout, and while the jokes may be a little bawdy at times, they are of a nature that both children and adults alike will thoroughly enjoy.

 During the school holidays special events are held at Llancaiach Fawr, which in the past have included battle re-enactments, falconry displays, fairs, concerts, ghost evenings and much more.  They have a resident ghost, and many a story to tell about hauntings in the old building.

  For more information on how to join in a popular Ghostwatch evening, with South Wales Paranormal research, and perhaps keep an eye on the Ghostcam, take a look at this link:

http://www.swpr.co.uk/Discovering/Lla...

Below is a useful link with more information:

www.caerphilly.gov.uk

and go to the links for visiting/museums/attractions/Llancaiach Fawr