Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Bay is one of Europe’s largest and most impressive urban regeneration projects, transforming over 1,000 hectares of derelict docklands and mudflats into a stylish quayside location for ultra-modern commercial, government and leisure buildings.
After the decline of the coal industry in Wales and the once great port of Cardiff, the dockland area soon entered decay. In 1987 an ambitious project was implemented and £2bn was invested in regenerating the area, creating 17,000 new jobs and 5,000 new buildings.
What was once sewage ridden and festering mudflats around the bay is now a 200-hectare fresh water lake protected from the sea by a £220m tidal barrier. Cardiff Bay is now the centre for a variety of water sports including the International Power-boating Centre, pleasure cruises and a new commercial marina.
Mermaid Quay is the hub of this commercial marina with a science and technology exhibition in the aptly named Techniquest, as well as a diverse collection of restaurants, high-street shops, bars and cafes lining the waterfront. Part of the ongoing development of Cardiff Bay include a £700m arts and cultural forum; the ‘Sydney Opera House’ shaped Millennium Centre and the high profile National Assembly Buildings covering some 3,300 square metres, a stunning project designed to represent Wales on the world stage.
Redevelopment of the area has managed to keep the best of the historic buildings. These include the Norwegian Church, built in 1868 as a seaman’s rest it was where the famous children’s writer Roald Dahl was baptised and is now an esoteric arts centre and friendly café and the neo-gothic red bricked Pierhead Building which houses a free interactive exhibition on the National Assembly for Wales.
Cardiff Bay really swings into action in the last two weeks of July and first week of August when it plays host to the Cardiff Festival, a succession of events including live music, international Food and Drink festivals and the Welsh Proms.
A range of guided tours of the bay, from boat trips, walking tours and coach tours are available starting at the visitor centre - an obscure tubular building, known locally as the Tube.
