Relax in a waterfront bar or restaurant, view public art exhibits and go shopping at this popular Cardiff Bay destination.
Shop, dine and unwind at Mermaid Quay, a hub of shops, bars, restaurants and cafés. The popular waterfront location looks out over Cardiff Bay and also encompasses a number of public art pieces.
Familiarize yourself with the locale by strolling along the boardwalk. Enjoy a wide range of local and international cuisines in the restaurants, including Turkish and Italian. Sample some Welsh ice cream and Welsh cakes, traditional cakes flavored with spice and dried fruit. Shop for clothes, shoes and handcrafted gifts.
Browse the displays of public art. View the 22 galvanized steel sculptures dotted around the quay. These artworks were inspired by John Masefield’s sea poem Cargoes. Among the pieces you will see are a Spanish galleon, a peacock and an elephant's head.
Look at Captain Willows, a beautiful clock that commemorates the achievements of Captain Ernest Willows, an aeronautical pioneer and airship builder. Visit the Mermaid Quay atrium for the Butetown Community Quilt. The textile was created to reflect the cultural history of the area.
Mermaid Quay is also a good base from which to explore some of the other attractions by Cardiff’s waterfront. Go to the nearby Doctor Who Experience, an interactive journey through the history of the iconic television show. Peruse the large collection of costumes and props from the science fiction series.
Explore World of Boats Cardiff where there are more than 40 rare boats and participate in hands-on science fun at Techniquest, a science discovery center. Watch operas, plays, comedies and musicals at the Wales Millennium Center.
At night, come back to the quay for dinner and to watch comedians in the local comedy club.
Mermaid Quay is approximately 2 miles (3 kilometers) from the center of Cardiff. If you are travelling by car, use the quay’s metered car park. With good train, bus and waterbus services, you’ll have no problem reaching this stunning waterfront destination by public transportation.
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