Old Post House has the perfect location for access to the magnificent Brecon Beacons, Superb West Wales Coast, sophisticated City Centre (with Millennium Stadium/Centre/Cardiff Castle/Cardiff Stadium to name a few attractions) or a place to help you relax and unwind in the beautiful Welsh countryside.
We’ve put together a list of some our local attractions here in South Wales, ensuring you can truly plan a memorable stay in Cardiff
In and around St Fagans
St Fagans is one of Europe’s leading open–air museums and Wales’s most popular heritage attraction and admission is free.
The Taff Trail is a multi-purpose route between the Cardiff waterfront at Cardiff Bay in the South and the Market Town of Brecon in the North. 55 miles (88km) in length, it passes close to Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil and through a wide variety of urban and suburban landscapes of those towns and the open moorland of the Brecon Beacons. There are also many “green fingers” where the Taff Trail itself appears to bring the countryside into the town. The area is also rich in industrial archaeology.
Perched high over vertical cliffs and surrounded by dark, wooded glades, Castell Coch (Red Castle) was rebuilt in 1890 as a country retreat for the 3rd Marquis of Bute. The castle was built on earlier foundations of a medieval structure, and W. Burges’ design incorporates a fully operational drawbridge and circular towers crowned by conical roofs. Located a few miles north of the city (close to the village of Tongwynlais), the fairytale castle is now maintained CADW (Welsh Historical Monuments).
In the City Centre
Since opening in June 1999, the Principality Stadium has welcomed, on average, over 1.3 million visitors per year. Sporting the first fully-retractable roof in the UK, the venue is at the leading edge as a multi-purpose, multi-faceted event venue. The Principality Stadium boasts a UEFA 5-Star rating and has hosted matches from two Rugby World Cups including the Final in 1999, witnessed two Wales Grand Slam successes in the RBS Six Nations, staged six showpiece FA Cup Finals plus hosted the major artists of the music business with a plethora of major concerts and motorsports events on its CV.
Cardiff Castle is one of Wales’ leading heritage attractions and a site of international significance. Located within beautiful parklands at the heart of the capital, Cardiff Castle’s walls and fairytale towers conceal 2,000 years of history.
Situated in the heart of Cardiff’s elegant civic center, it houses Wales’s national art, geology and natural history collections as well as major touring and temporary exhibitions
Bute Park offers an extensive area of mature parkland within Cardiff’s city centre boasting a nationally-significant tree collection, numerous natural play features for the young (or young-at-heart), an education centre, three cafes, and a wealth of horticulture and wildlife interest. There is plenty to do in the park and you can pick up a variety of self-led trails to guide you on certain activities and topics. Situated beyond Cardiff Castle just a short walk from the city’s main high streets and civic centre, Bute Park really is the “green heart of the city”.
Shopping
“The vision was one of a unique shopping, leisure, cultural and tourist destination created by the regeneration of the heart of the city centre – transforming Cardiff into one of the most dynamic cities in Europe. With fabulous fashion, heavenly homewares and divine dining, St David’s has the perfect variety of top brands for every occasion. Whether you’re looking for the perfect outfit for that big night out, adding some sparkle to a classic look or catching up with friends over a delicious meal, St David’s will certainly have something that will be perfect for you. Lying right in the heart of Cardiff city centre, St David’s is just a short walk from Cardiff Central Bus/Coach station and Cardiff Central and Queen Street Rail Stations.
In Cardiff Bay
Is an arts centre located in the Cardiff Bay area of Cardiff, Wales. The site covers a total area of 4.7 acres (1.9 ha). Phase 1 of the building was opened during the weekend of the 26–28 November 2004 and phase 2 opened on 22 January 2009 with an inaugural concert. The centre has hosted performances of opera, ballet, dance, comedy and musicals. The Centre comprises one large theatre and two smaller halls with shops, bars and restaurants. It houses the national orchestra and opera, dance, theatre and literature companies, a total of eight arts organizations in residence. It is also home to the Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre. The main theatre, the Donald Gordon Theatre, has 1,897 seats, the BBC Hoddinott Hall 350 and the Weston Studio Theatre 250.
An exciting on-demand white water facility located in the heart of the International Sports Village in Cardiff. A centre of excellence for training, that also provides training courses from their Paddle School to Duke of Edinburgh awards.
Housed in a specially constructed facility in Cardiff’s Porth Teigr – a stone’s throw from the BBC studios where Doctor Who is filmed – the Doctor Who Experience offers a unique, exciting and sometimes scary journey into fifty years of adventures in space and time.
Overlooking the Bay and with a chic, cosmopolitan atmosphere, Mermaid Quay is where Cardiff comes to relax. Just five minutes from the city centre, it’s the perfect destination for relaxing, partying or splashing out on a bit of retail therapy or personal pampering. The wealth waterfront of restaurants, cafés and bars with menus from around the world mean there’s something for every taste and pocket – from a quick snack to a leisurely, luxury meal.
Techniquest is the UK’s longest established science centre. Techniquest offers interactive experiences that are accessible to all, and that have been enjoyed in its centre by over 4 million people since its inception in Cardiff in 1986.
Beyond Cardiff – Vale of Glamorgan
Cosmeston offers a fine introduction into the countryside and is open all year round. The park has been designed to enable people of all abilities to discover and enjoy the countryside found within the Vale of Glamorgan. The country park has a variety of habitats covering over 100 hectares of land and water, some areas designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest| protecting the rare and diverse plant and animal species.
A fully restored Art Deco Pier Pavilion based on the coast in South Wales. The Pavilion is a multi-functional building housing a gallery, cinema, cafe and restaurant. They offer an exciting exhibitions programme, films ranging from new releases and a full events schedule including live music and locally sourced food and drink that can be enjoyed with a sea view.
Barry Island is a fantastic place for a day out with the family and has become familiar as the home of the hit TV show Gavin and Stacey. If you love the show, then you’ll love Barry Island too. Hit the beach! Whitmore Bay at Barry Island guarantees a visit full of seaside fun all year round with an exciting range of family attractions.
How to Find Us
- By Air
Cardiff International airport is located just under 10 miles from Old Post House, details of transport links from the airport into the city centre can be found on Cardiff Airport website
- By Bus
The no 32 bus route travels from Cardiff central station into St Fagans Village, the bus stop is situated just outside – for more information on bus times please see Cardiff Bus website
- By Car
From M4, 2 miles from Junction 33. Take A4232 slip road. Leave at next exit, Culverhouse Cross. Left to Ely and hard left to St Fagans. After level crossing up hill to St Fagans Castle and take the 1st left onto Croft-y-Genau, you’ll then see Old Post House sign posted on the right
- By Rail
