clock tower, Cardiff City Hall (fig 4)
Just around the corner is City Hall, the National Museum of Wales and Gorsedd Gardens – a veritable trio of photographic delights. The clock tower (fig 4) atop City Hall chimes every 15 minutes, and if you have a good zoom you can get some stunning close ups.
basking shark, National Museum of Wales (fig 5)
Meanwhile, take a trip inside the museum (it’s free!) and you’ll be greeted by mammoths and basking sharks (fig 5).
'Merch' (Girl)
sculpture in Gorsedd Gardens, Cathays Park (fig 6)
Head out of the museum and across the road to Gorsedd Gardens (fig 6). Take a look to your left and see the green outside city hall. In summer, the fountains attract sunseekers, while Winter Wonderland can provide some fun night time illumination shots later in the year.
performance artist, Queen Street, Cardiff (fig 7)
Heading over to Cardiff’s main shopping area, Queen Street, a host of shots can be captured. There are statues and architecture, of course, but much more fun are the characters of Queen Street. If you’re lucky you might see a particularly colourful busker or performing artist, sometimes there are even living statues (fig 7).
one of many statues on
Cardiff Castle's perimeter wall (fig 8)
Stroll round to Cardiff Castle. If you don’t want to pay the entrance fee, there’s still plenty of opportunity in the form of the animal wall around the castle perimeter (fig 8). Choose between bears, pelicans, lions and more or get a shot of them.
Bute Park, Cardiff (fig 9)
Just next door to the castle Bute Park and Sophia Gardens. You could spend an entire day walking around this lush landscape happily snapping away. Look out for some of the thick-trunked older trees and wooden sculptures (fig 9).
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (fig 10)
Sports and architecture fans alike will surely be impressed by the delights of the Millennium Stadium with its protruding white beams (fig 10). Viewing from a number of different angles makes for interesting portraits of this building. From afar, it’s been known to look like a giant spider – try viewing it from atop the Castle’s Norman Keep for another view.
one of the arcades, Cardiff (fig 11)
Swing round to one of the many arcades Cardiff has to offer and you’re sure to find some little curio to take your fancy (fig 11). Ask for permission from shop owners before you snap away as some may not take too kindly to it – it is private property after all.
St John’s Cathedral, Cardiff (fig 12)
The last stop on my whistle-stop tour is St John’s Cathedral (fig 12), just behind the Queen’s Arcade. There are, of course, plenty more opportunities in the nearby area, but you’ve probably earned yourself a rest by now. So choose one of the nearby cafes and take a well earned break!
Three more Cardiff trips to whet your appetite
If you have a bit more time to explore and want to go a bit further afield, the following three options give you plenty of scope for lens opportunities.
Roath Park
Scott lighthouse, Roath Park (fig 13)
Cardiff’s most popular park deserves more than a fleeting photography visit. About 40 minutes walk from the city centre, this Victorian recreational area boasts a 30 acre lake, complete with a resident population of ducks, geese and swans. Not only this, but a lighthouse erected to commemorate Captain Scott’s Antarctic voyage stands resplendent at one end of the lake (fig 13).
wildfowl at Roath Park lake (fig 14)
Take a trip on one of the pedaloes or rowing boats to really get close to the animals or just take a healthy supply of stale bread (fig 14).
bees at work
botanical gardens, Roath Park (fig 15)
The botanical gardens and greenhouse will also provide plant lovers with a colourful display (fig 15).
Castell Coch
Castell Coch, Tongwynlais (fig 16)
Located in Tongwynlais, a short bus, train ride or car journey north of Cardiff, Castell Coch is a fairytale castle built on the remains on the remains of a 13th century fortification (fig 16).
Castell Coch (interior) (fig 17)
Entry is cheap and both the stunning outdoor architecture and beautiful interiors make for pleasing pictures (fig 17).
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Bay (fig 18)
Not too far away from the city centre, Cardiff Bay on a sunny day is a joy to behold (fig 18).
Millennium Centre (fig 19)
Home to the Millennium Centre (fig 19), the Norwegian Church and the Senydd, there’s something for everyone here. In the summer the area is transformed into festival central, and if you’re lucky you might just catch a street performance (fig 20).
Cardiff Bay street performers (fig 20)
