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Cardiff Civic Centre – Cathays Park
Cathays Park is a 60 acre development on the northern side of the city centre, that houses a fine collection of early 20th century civic buildings.
The (mostly Edwardian) buildings are built in English Renaissance style carved from Portland stone. The quality of the architecture at Cathays Park means that it is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of civic centre in Europe.
Among the buildings that are located on the site are: Cardiff City Hall, National Museum & Gallery of Wales, County Law Courts, Welsh Assembly Offices and the Central Police Station. Cardiff University also has a large number of its buildings situated at Cathays Park. The central gardens also contain the Welsh National War Memorial.
Apart from simply strolling around the civic centre and enjoying its magnificent architecture and gardens, the main visitor attractions are the National Museum and Cardiff City Hall. Entry to the National Museum is free and it offers a very enjoyable and educational day out. The City Hall also contains many fine art collections within its rooms, which visitors are able to view, subject to the rooms not being hired for private functions.
Every year, during the first weekend in August, the gardens in and around Cathays Park play host to Cardiff’s BIG Weekend, the UK’s biggest free outdoor festival. There are always plenty of big name acts to enjoy on the concert stage and a travelling fun fair also sets up its rides and stalls in the surrounding area. It’s an all round great weekend of entertainment.
How to get there:
By car: Exit the M4 at Junction 32 and follow signs to Cardiff city centre and National Museum of Wales.
By bus: Bus number 27 leaves Cardiff central bus station from stand D3 and will stop at Gorsedd Gardens, which is located at the front of the civic centre.
City Hall Website: www.cardiffcityhall.com
National Museum Website: www.museumwales.ac.uk
Posted by Taffy 13th May 2007