Tour of Cardiff including Cardiff Castle, St Fagan's Museum & Cardiff Bay

The journey, in full

Cardiff Castle – Two Thousand Years of Power Rising dramatically in the heart of the city, Cardiff Castle tells the story of Wales in stone. Its origins lie in a Roman fort, fragments of which are still visible today—and which gave Cardiff its name. Caerdydd translates as “the fort on the River Taff.” Later transformed by the Normans, used as a royal prison, and expanded by powerful Marcher Lords, the castle fell into ruin by the 16th century. Its rebirth came under the Marquesses of Bute, culminating with the 3rd Marquess, who created the castle as we see it today: a breathtaking Victorian fantasy and a Welsh national treasure. During your visit, your guide will reveal the castle’s most fascinating features, including opulent interiors, a ceiling that cost over a million pounds to create, Second World War air-raid tunnels, and the Museum of the Welsh Soldier. You’ll also climb the Norman keep for sweeping views across the modern capital. Tiny Rebel Cardiff & The Principality Stadium Outside Tiny Rebel’s Urban Tap House—one of Cardiff’s most loved pubs—you’ll see the iconic Principality Stadium (formerly the Millennium Stadium), home of Welsh rugby and a venue that has helped define modern Wales. Here, your guide will explain how rugby, developed in England, became Wales’ national obsession; how this stadium became the first in Europe with a fully retractable roof; why part of the old Cardiff Arms Park was incorporated into the build; and how, for a time, Welsh rugby hosted English football’s FA Cup finals. Learn too how the stadium’s versatility has brought some of the biggest names in global music to Wales. Spillers Records – A South Wales Institution Established in 1894, Spillers Records is the oldest record shop in the world. This Cardiff institution has supplied generations of music lovers and remains a pilgrimage site for vinyl collectors. Whatever your taste—from rock and jazz to folk and film soundtracks—Spillers has a habit of offering records you didn’t know you needed… until you find them. Cardiff Market – Heart of the City Cardiff’s magnificent Victorian market is a place many visitors miss—but locals treasure. Beneath its iron and glass roof you’ll find everything from fresh fish and Welsh cakes to books, crafts, and family-run food stalls. While sampling local delicacies and browsing the stalls, you’ll also hear the powerful story of Dic Penderyn, a labourer executed here following the Merthyr Rising of 1831. Charged with killing a soldier during unrest sparked by industrial exploitation, Dic became a symbol of injustice and resistance in Welsh history. St John the Baptist Church – Medieval Cardiff Built around 1180, St John the Baptist Church is the oldest surviving building from Cardiff’s medieval walled town. Though much was rebuilt after Owain Glyndŵr’s forces sacked the city in 1404, its quiet beauty endures. Used as a filming location for Doctor Who, the church is equally celebrated for its stunning interior, including Victorian stained glass by leading Pre-Raphaelites such as William Morris—details your guide will ensure you don’t miss. Statue of Aneurin Bevan – Architect of the NHS Known affectionately as “Nye,” Aneurin Bevan transformed Britain forever as the founder of the National Health Service. His statue has become a landmark and popular meeting point in Cardiff. Born into poverty and shaped by his experiences working in Welsh coal mines, Bevan entered politics with a fierce belief in social justice. A vocal opponent of Churchill during the war years, he later secured a place in history by creating one of Britain’s most cherished institutions. Here, your guide will explore his politics, legacy, and Cardiff’s role in the coal industry that shaped him. Cathays Park – Coal, Power, and Culture Cathays Park is one of Europe’s finest early 20th-century civic centres. Built on former Bute estate land using Portland stone—the same as St Paul’s Cathedral—it houses Cardiff University, Crown Courts, the National Museum, City Hall, and the Welsh National War Memorial. This grand vision was funded by wealth from coal, which turned Cardiff into the world’s largest coal-exporting port. You’ll also discover why Cardiff has become one of the UK’s most popular filming locations and how creative industries are helping fill the economic gaps left by deindustrialisation. National Museum Cardiff – World-Class Art Home to one of the UK’s finest collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, the National Museum Cardiff displays works by Monet, Cézanne, Renoir (La Parisienne), and Rodin (The Kiss), alongside exceptional Welsh art. Spread across 15 galleries, the collection rivals those of major European cities. During your visit, your guide will explain how such an extraordinary collection came to Cardiff—and who made it possible. Please note: the museum is closed on Mondays. Alternative locations will be added on those days. St Fagans National Museum of History – Wales Through Time Wales’ most visited attraction and Art Fund Museum of the Year 2019, St Fagans is unlike any museum you’ve experienced. Historic buildings from across Wales have been dismantled, moved, and rebuilt here, forming a living timeline of Welsh life from the Celtic period onward. After lunch in the excellent café, your guide will lead you through a carefully curated selection including an Iron Age roundhouse, a medieval prince’s court, workers’ housing, a schoolhouse, and St Fagans Castle—a Grade I listed Elizabethan manor. The Coal Exchange Hotel – Where a Million Pounds Changed Hands Once the beating heart of the global coal trade, the Coal Exchange was where the world’s first £1 million deal was agreed in 1904. Today, it stands as a luxury hotel and historic venue that has hosted iconic performers. This stop brings to life Cardiff’s role in powering the British Empire—and explains why coal shaped not just Wales, but modern Britain itself. Portland House – Wealth at Risk Believed to be where the world’s first million-pound cheque was cashed, Portland House is now an events and filming space. One of many historic buildings in the docklands, it serves as a lens through which your guide will explain why Cardiff’s heritage is increasingly under threat. Roald Dahl Plass – Stories and Celebration Named after Cardiff-born author Roald Dahl, this lively public space is a hub for festivals, food events, and cultural gatherings. Its striking water feature is a favourite with visitors and locals alike. If events such as the International Food & Drink Festival or Cardiff Bay Beach are taking place, your guide will happily show you around. The Senedd – Democracy in Glass and Wood Designed by Lord Richard Rogers, the Senedd is the home of the Welsh Parliament. Built to embody transparency and democracy, it is one of the UK’s most important modern buildings. Here, learn about Welsh devolution, Wales’ influence on British politics, and the growing debate around Welsh independence. Wales Millennium Centre – The Voice of Wales Famous for its bold architecture and inscription “In These Stones Horizons Sing”, the Wales Millennium Centre is home to the nation’s leading arts organisations, including Welsh National Opera and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Praised by Andrew Lloyd Webber as unmatched even by London venues, the building reflects Welsh identity in every detail—from its materials to its door handles. Following the visit, you’re free to remain in Cardiff Bay for dinner or return to your accommodation with your guide.