Ever heard of the capital city of Wales? Maybe yes. But there are a lot more facts about Cardiff, from history to travel and people, that you will be interested in. Come with us to explore the 34 facts about Cardiff Wales and enjoy a journey with knowledge and fun.
Facts about Cardiff: General
There are some Cardiff facts that may sound like general but will also surprise you:
- Cardiff is the capital and the largest city of Wales, 11th largest city in the United Kingdom.
- Cardiff has more green spaces per person than any other UK core cities. It is a city of parks that boasts over 330 parks and gardens, and home to 22 Green Flag-awarded sites.
- Cardiff became the first Fairtrade capital city over Edinburgh for a better deal for third world producers in 2004.
- Cardiff is home to 3 prestigious universities, Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, and University of South Wales, and is home to over 75,000 students.
- Cardiff is proud to be the UK’s first Music City with a burgeoning music scene which is dynamic, diverse, and incredibly unique.
- Cardiff was awarded the title of European City of Sport 2009 and 2014 with many high-profile sporting events at a local, national and international level.
- Only 9% of the population in Cardiff speak Welsh. This language is considered endangered by UN and great efforts have been made to preserve it.
Facts about Cardiff: History
It may sound amazing that Cardiff has a long history dates back much before either Stonehenge or the Great Pyramid of Giza was completed. Check out some facts on Cardiff in history to know more.
8. Settlement in Cardiff dates back to at least around 6000 BC during the early Neolithic.
9. The front wall of Cardiff Castle was built by the Romans in the 50s AD.
10. Cardiff became a borough in 1542 and was granted with Royal Charters by Elizabeth I in 1600 and James I in 1608.
11. In 1904, the first “million-pound deal” in history was done, and the first million-pound cheque was signed in Cardiff.
12. Cardiff was ranked as a city in 1905 and proclaimed the capital city of Wales in 1955; it is Europe’s smallest and one of its newest capital cities.
Facts about Cardiff: Travel
Cardiff has always been a popular destination for vistors in the UK that Your Magazine voted Cardiff one of the top places to visit in 2009. Getting to know more facts about Cardiff before your journey.
13. Cardiff is a tourist city with over 18 million tourists every year, making it the 10th most visited city internationally.
14. Cardiff is a city of castles that hosts 21 Cardiff castles and palaces, including the Cardiff Castle.
15. Cardiff has seven Victorian and Edwardian arcades nestled amongst the biggest names on the high street, hosting over 100 independent shops, cafes, bars and restaurants right in the heart of the city.
16. Cardiff has the world’s oldest record shop, Spillers Records, that established in 1894. Now it sells an eclectic mix of records and CDs and also hosts regular live gigs and music events.
17. The National Stadium of Wales, Principality Stadium, is located in the centre of Cardiff as a symbol of 21st century Wales and part of what they called ‘Cool Cymru’.
18. St David’s Dewi Sant, one of the principal shopping centres in the city centre of Cardiff, is one of the largest shopping centres in the UK.
19. Cardiff has a number of magnificent churches to visit, like The Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas, St David’s Metropolitan Cathedral, St Peter’s Church and St Mary’s Church.
20. The St Fagans National Museum of History is one of Europe’s leading open-air museums and and Wales’s most popular heritage attraction.
21. Bute Park, situated just behind the Cardiff Castle with a short walk from the city centre, is the largest park in Cardiff and a CADW Grade 1 listed park.
22. The Wales Millennium Centre is a cultural landmark as well as the Wales’s national art centre located in the Cardiff Bay. The centre is famour for its striking design and hosts large-scale opera, ballet, contemporary dance and musicals.
23. The National Museum Cardiff, where houses Wales’ national art, natural history, and geology collections, is free for visit.
24. The Roath Park is opened in 1894 as one of the first public parks in Cardiff. It still retains its classic Victorian layout and provides a wide range of horticultural interets, nature conservation and activities.
Facts about Cardiff: People
Cardiff is home to a host of famous people that you might be familiar with. Here are some top facts about Cardiff’s people.
25. Captain Robert Falcon Scott, who aimed to be the first to reach the South Pole, started his journey from Cardiff on 15 June 1910.
26. Roald Dahl, the author of popular children’s literature and short stories, was born in 1916 in Llandaff, Cardiff and baptised at the Norwegian Church.
27. Terry Nation, the Welsh screenwriter and novelist who created the Daleks and Davros for Doctor Who and the series Survivors and Blake’s 7, was born in Llandaff, Cardiff.
28. Henry Morgan, the notorious Welsh privateer who plundered Spain’s Caribbean colonies during the late 17th century, was born in 1635 in Glamorgan (now in Cardiff).
29. In 1897, Guglielmo Marconi successfully transmitted Morse code signals from Flat Holm Island to Lavernock Point near Cardiff.
Fun Facts about Cardiff
Want to get to know more? There is still a series of Cardiff fun facts as listed:
30. Cardiff has more hours of sunlight than Milan and is one of the flattest cities in Britain.
31. The well-loved feature in Cardiff, the Animal Wall, was built in the 1890s outside Cardiff Castle, It originally included a pair of lions holding shields, a lioness, a lynx, a bear, a sea lion, a wolf, a pair of apes and a hyena.
32. Cardiff Bay is Europe’s largest waterfront development with a great mix of Cardiff attractions, entertainment and events, coupled with vibrant bars and shops.
33. Doctor Who was filmed in Cardiff, including the Westgate Street, the Wales Millennium Centre, the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff Castle, St Fagans National Museum of History, and more.
34. Cardiff is the party capital of Wales where hosts loads of festivals, events, activities, including the Cardiff Music Festival, Cardiff Literature Festival, and the Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival.
Living in Cardiff
From the listed facts about Cardiff, it is not hard to tell that Cardiff is not only a popular place to visit but also an ideal destination for studying and living.
For students planning to study in Cardiff, finding the ideal home away from home is crucial for your university experience. It might be confusing for many students to know where and how to start this huge task, and there are where uhomes.com comes for.
As a professional student accommodation platform, we make everything easy for you to secure the ideal student accommodation in Cardiff with verified listings, strong filters, and 24/7 free assistance to handle everything for you. Check the best student accommodations in Cardiff at the most popular student areas like Cathays, City Centre, Roath, and Heath:
- 1. Crown Place Cardiff: Exclusive offer, 5-minute walk to Cardiff University Cathay campus, boasting various room types, from en-suites to studios and 1-bedroom apartments.
- 2. Vita Student Park Place: Exclusive listing and exlusive offer, all studio rooms, located within an 8-minute walking distance to Cardiff University Cathay Park campus, close to the buzzing city centre.
- 3. Eclipse, Cardiff: Exclusive offer, famous for its top-notch amenities like grab & go breakfast, a nightclub, karaoke room, state-of-the-art security, and 40-inch television in your bedroom.
- 4. Cambrian Point: No.1 private student accommodation in Cardiff by Student Crowd, offers affordable en-suite rooms from £174/week, surrounded by large areas of Blackweir Fields.
- 5. West Wing: Cheap accommodation in Cardiff for students from £155/week, right in the middle of Cardiff University (22 min walk) and the University of South Wales (10 min walk), and a 20-minute walk to City Centre.
Conclusion
Hope this blog of facts about Cardiff sounds fun and interesting for you. If you want to explore more about this epic city, book a trip to Cardiff and experience the unique Welsh culture. It is extremely easy to get to Cardiff with its own airport, high-speed rail links from London, extensive motorways through the city, and even ferries from Portsmouth or Southampton. Why hesitate? Start to plan your journey today!
FAQ
What are 5 interesting facts about Cardiff?
Here are 5 interesting facts about Cardiff:
- Cardiff is the capital city of Wales and the largest city in the country.
- It has a rich history and was once a major coal-exporting port in the 19th century.
- Cardiff is home to the stunning Cardiff Castle, which dates back to Roman times.
- The city is known for its vibrant arts scene, with several museums, galleries, and theaters.
- Cardiff Bay is a popular area for leisure, shopping, and dining, and it was once a dockyard area that has been redeveloped.
What is Cardiff best known for?
Cardiff is best known for being the capital of Wales, its rich history, Cardiff Castle, and vibrant cultural scene. It’s also famous for Cardiff Bay, sporting events like rugby, and as a center for arts, media, and education.
How old is the city of Cardiff?
Cardiff’s history dates back to Roman times, around 50 AD, when it was established as a fort. It became a town in the 12th century and gained city status in 1905, making it over 1,900 years old.
What is a fun fact about Cardiff Bay?
A fun fact about Cardiff Bay is that it was once the largest coal-exporting port in the world. Today, it’s a vibrant waterfront area, home to the Wales Millennium Centre and the beautiful Roath Park Lake.
What makes Cardiff unique?
Cardiff is unique for its blend of rich history, vibrant culture, and modern development. It features landmarks like Cardiff Castle, beautiful waterfront areas like Cardiff Bay, and a passionate sports culture, especially for rugby and international events.
What is Cardiff known for food?
Cardiff is known for its Welsh cuisine, including dishes like Welsh rarebit and cawl. Popular restaurants include The Potted Pig for modern British fare, The Clink for fine dining with a social cause, and Chapel 1877 for Welsh-inspired meals.
