As one of the UK’s major sporting centres, Cardiff is home to the iconic 74,500-seat Principality Stadium. The city hosts professional football at the Cardiff City Stadium, rugby at the famous Arms Park and international cricket at Sophia Gardens. Cardiff also boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a white water rafting and canoe centre, ice rink and facilities to play a range of other sports.
As you’d expect from a capital city, Cardiff is one of the UK’s leading retail destinations. Designer boutiques and high street names can be found within the St David’s Shopping Centre, which stands alongside local independent shops, numerous indoor and outdoor markets and a fascinating network of glass-canopied Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades.
Following an investment of £2.4bn, Cardiff Bay is regarded as one of the most successful regeneration projects in the UK. The Bay boasts a modern development of homes, shops, bars, restaurants, offices, and entertainment and sport facilities.
Boasting some 330 parks and gardens, Cardiff benefits from an abundance of green spaces. Our parks reach right into the heart of the city centre, making the capital a green haven for exploring, relaxing and taking some time out.
In the mood for some culture? Cardiff is well-equipped, with entertainment to suit all tastes. Cardiff Bay’s world-class Wales Millennium Centre regularly plays host to touring West End musicals, as well as concerts, drama and ballet. The city is also home to the acclaimed Welsh National Opera, two thriving theatres, several multi-screen cinemas, comedy clubs and a well-established arts centre.
Cardiff is a compact city, best explored on foot or by bicycle. The city’s new Next Bikes scheme has cycle racks located all over the city – and the first half hour of every journey is free to all Cardiff University students! Excellent transport links also make it easy to travel across the city, south Wales and beyond, with London less than two hours away by rail.
Cardiff is a truly cosmopolitan city and its multicultural vibe is reflected in its diverse range of cafes, restaurants and bars. No matter your preference, you’re sure to find plenty to suit your taste and budget.
Want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life? The easily- accessible Brecon Beacons National Park offers outstanding scenery and wildlife, alongside ample opportunity for all kinds of outdoor pursuits including hiking and rock climbing. If it’s sea air you crave, take a wander along our stunning coastline by following the 870-mile Wales Coastal Path: the only path in the world that follows a country’s coastline in its entirety. “Cardiff is a great place to be a student. Although it’s the capital of Wales,
“Cardiff is a great place to be a student. Although it’s the capital of Wales, it isn’t a large city, which means most things are within walking distance. The centre is very compact and filled to the brim with bars, restaurants, cafes and shops. I also love Cardiff because of its surrounding areas: within half an hour I could either be looking out to sea in Penarth or climbing a mountain in the valleys.” David, MSc Data Science and Analytics
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