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Cardiff Bay, City of Cardiff

Cardiff Bay is a new, fascinating and impressive waterfront area, one mile south of the city centre, that has been developed over the past ten years. A Barrage was built from Cardiff to Penarth to contain the Rivers Taff and Ely; forming Cardiff Bay.

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About 'The Bay' and Mermaid Quay

The Barrage incorporates sea-locks, enabling the many hundreds of working and pleasure craft, both in the Bay and in Penarth Marina, to access the Bristol Channel. Fish are able to enter and leave the Bay via a ‘fish run’, to the delight of the waiting cormorants and sea gulls.

'Tiger Bay', was an area of the old docks, known by seafarers the world over. With the re-development, it is now known as 'The Bay' (visit www.cardiffharbour.com) with Mermaid Quay being the focal point of leisure activity, via a great variety of pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafés. Street entertainment, concerts and watersports take place on many weekends for all the family.

Transport facilities include regular waterbus services to landing stages around the Bay and up the River Taff to the city centre. The 'Barrage Road Train' travels across the Barrage, from Penarth to Mermaid Quay and motor buses service the Quay from the city centre.

One can now walk across the Barrage to or from Penarth or Mermaid Quay. Why not walk one way and take Cardiff Cats Water Bus or Road Train back?

The Welsh Assembly’s new Goverment Building is situated just off Mermaid Quay - The Senedd or Senate was opened by H.M The Queen on St. David's Day 1st March 2006.

Behind the Sennedd, in Roald Dahl Plas is the very impressive Wales Millennium Centre and theatre. This buillding is also home to the Welsh National Opera Company (WNO).

Techniquest is a fascinating 'hands-on', Science Museum that is suitable for all age groups, especially children.See 'Attractions'

The UCI Entertainment complex provides Ten-Pin Bowling, cinemas and licenced restaurants, all under one roof.

The 'Doctor Who' Exhibition is in the Red Dragon Building.

The grand old buildings in the Bay have been refurbished to retain the character of the locality, including the iconic red-bricked, Pier Head building, some of the banks, and the Coal Exchange. They all reflect the wealth that was created when coal was ‘King’; at its peak, Cardiff was the largest coal exporting port in the world.

Travel across Cardiff Bay on the Waterbus or across the Barrage on the Road Train. Go to http://www.cardiffcats.com

Directions

Coaches from the City Centre every 10 minutes.

The Cardiff Road Train every 1/2 hour from Mermaid Quay Car Park to the Barrage and return (March to October only).

Water-buses every 20 minutes from the Barrage at Penarth to and from Mermaid Quay

From the M4 Jctn.33 the A 4232 dual-carriage links directly with Mermaid Quay, taking approximately 10 minutes.