World City Guide

Mini Guide of Cardiff

City Overview

The Welsh capital is a city undergoing major renewal, as is evidenced by the amount of building and reconstruction that is taking place. Most noticeable of all, particularly for the visitor emerging from the railway station, is the looming modernity of the Millennium Stadium, which dominates the skyline on the western edge of the city centre. This phenomenal amount of development is entirely in keeping with Cardiff’s (Caerdydd’s) marketing slogan: ‘Europe’s Youngest Capital’. Both in the city centre itself and at the equally impressive Cardiff Bay development, an air of optimistic rejuvenation is almost palpable.

Home of the recently established Welsh National Assembly, Cardiff is currently on an upward curve, virtually a city reinvented since the low points of the 1970s and 1980s. Then it was difficult to believe that less than a century earlier the city had been one of the great powerhouses of the British Empire, exporting vast amounts of coal from the nearby Valleys and steel from the huge plants in South Wales. When these industries all but died out during the last quarter of the 20th century, prospects appeared bleak. Yet, thanks to government and European Union encouragement, new employers have moved in to help fill the economic void. A measure of this successful economic regeneration is the fact that available hotel bed spaces in Cardiff have increased by over 40% in the past five or so years.

Even now, however, visitors should not go to Cardiff expecting the cosmopolitan sophistication of larger, longer established capitals. Located in the south of Wales and looking onto the Severn Estuary, the city was only officially recognised as a capital in 1955 and it retains a friendly ‘small town’ quality that spirited self-promotion and inward investment have not entirely shaken off, perhaps to its benefit. Even so, it has a vibrant atmosphere and a lively music scene and nightlife, due in part to the presence of 26,000 or so students based at the city’s universities.

The central area, with its seven delightful Victorian shopping arcades and traffic-free streets, extends from the railway station to the impressive castle. This is Cardiff’s traditional commercial and social heart but, increasingly, Cardiff Bay, two kilometres (one mile) or so to the south, is gaining ground in the entertainment and leisure stakes, as well as becoming an important administrative centre.

Modern Cardiff’s dilemma is how more effectively to fuse these two distinct parts into an integrated whole. The Bay, formerly the port area, is separated from the city by an expanse of glum-looking housing estates. There are bus and train connections but these somehow perpetuate the sense of two towns, not one. One possible solution is a tram link but this plan is far from fruition. As with any newborn entity (phoenix or otherwise), Cardiff has further growth to undergo before maturity is reached. However, Wales as a whole has grown in self-esteem now its status as a nation is recognised by the UK government. Cardiff embodies this new confidence, although the city’s ambitions also clearly extend far beyond the nation’s boundaries. It is bidding to become European Capital of Culture in 2008 – a clear indication of the city’s new-found confidence.

Cardiff’s climate is quite temperate, without extreme variation between seasons and rain, sometimes quite a lot of it, all year round.

Getting There By Air

Cardiff International Airport (CWL)
Tel: (01446) 711 111. Fax: (01446) 711 675.
Website: www.cardiffairportonline.com

Cardiff International Airport is located at Rhoose, 19km (12 miles) southwest of the city centre. As a regional airport, it is much smaller than the major UK international hubs. Even so, it handles currently about 1.5 million passengers annually, with a capacity for three million.

Major airlines: Direct scheduled flights are provided by the national carrier, British Airways (tel: (0845) 773 377 or (0845) 779 9977; website: www.british-airways.com), to Aberdeen, Belfast, Brussels and Paris. Other airlines include KLM (website: www.klmuk.com), which offers a connection to Amsterdam, and British Midland subsidiary Bmibaby (website: www.bmibaby.co.uk), which serves Belfast, Edinburgh, Geneva, Glasgow, Jersey, Milan, Alicante, Faro and Malaga. Air Wales (website: www.airwales.co.uk) connects Cardiff with Cork and Dublin, while low-cost airline Ryanair (website: www.ryanair.com) also serves the Irish capital. A number of airlines run seasonal charter services to mainland Europe and further afield.

Approximate flight times to Cardiff: From New York is 8 hours 45 minutes; from Los Angeles is 12 hours 20 minutes; from Toronto is 8 hours 50 minutes and from Sydney is 24 hours 20 minutes. These times include stopovers and transfers. There are no flights between London and Cardiff but London Heathrow is less than three hours away by rail and a little longer by road.

Airport facilities: Thomas Cook offers 24-hour banking and exchange services daily between May and October. Other services include a 24-hour information desk, ATM, duty-free shops, restaurants, cafs and pubs. There are also facilities for disabled passengers, car parks and car hire (Europcar, Avis and Hertz).

Business facilities: There is no business centre in the airport. There is an executive lounge in the departures lounge, which is available to certain passengers. Fax and photocopying facilities are available at the information desk in the main terminal.

Arrival/departure tax: This is included in the airline ticket.

Transport to the city: Cardiff Bus (tel: (029) 2066 6444; fax: (029) 2078 7742; e-mail: enquiries@cardiffbus.com; website: www.cardiffbus.com) runs airbus X91 hourly 0630-1830 Monday to Saturday (journey time – 35-40 minutes). The fare is 2.75 each way. Shamrock Coaches (tel: (01443) 407 000; fax: (01443) 403 378; e-mail: shamrockcoaches@aol.com; website: www.shamrocktravel.co.uk) runs bus X45 hourly 0630-1830 Monday to Saturday at the same fare rate. On Monday to Saturday evenings, hourly between 1936 and 2236, EST (tel: (01446) 793 100) operates bus 345 and the single fare is 2.65. First Cymru’s (tel: (0845) 608 2608; website: www.firstgroup.com/firstcymru) X5 coach runs every two hours from Cardiff Airport to Cardiff coach station 0845-2135 on Sunday only. A single fare costs 2.85. Cardiff Air Taxis (tel: (01446) 710 693) charge approximately 20 for trips to and from the city centre (journey time – 20-30 minutes). The nearest railway station is eight kilometres (five miles) away, at Barry, with connections from Cardiff.

Getting There By Water

There are no sea passenger services directly to or from Cardiff. The Port of Swansea, overseen by the ABP (tel: (0870) 609 6699; website: www.abports.co.uk), is located 65km (41 miles) west of Cardiff. Pembroke Dock (tel: (0870) 532 9543; website: www.milford-docks.co.uk) is situated 157km (98 miles) west of Cardiff. Fishguard (tel: (08705) 707 070; website: www.stenaline.com) is located 167km (105 miles) west of Cardiff.

Ferry services: There are no sea passenger services directly to or from Cardiff. However, Swansea Cork Ferries (tel: (01792) 456 116; website: www.swansea-cork.ie) operates services between Swansea and the Irish Republic from March to November. Stena Line (tel: (08705) 707 070; website: www.stenaline.com) operates from Fishguard to Rosslare and an Irish Ferries service (tel: (0870) 517 1717; website: www.irishferries.ie) links Pembroke with Rosslare.

Transport to the city: There are direct train and bus links between Cardiff and Swansea town centre. The train takes approximately one hour and the coach one hour and 20 minutes into Cardiff. It is necessary for travellers arriving at the Port of Swansea to take a taxi to the city centre, which costs approximately 5-6.

There are direct train and coach links from Pembroke Dock to Cardiff (journey time – approximately 3 hours 15 minutes).

There are direct coach and rail links between Cardiff and Fishguard (journey time – approximately 2 hours 45 minutes).

Getting There By Road

Driving regulations in Wales are the same as for the rest of the UK. Main roads are designated by a letter, followed by up to four numbers: an ‘M’ indicates a motorway, ‘A’ a major trunk road and ‘B’ minor roads. Traffic drives on the left and overtakes on the right. The speed limits are 113kph (70mph) on motorways and dual carriageways, 97kph (60mph) on single-lane main roads and 48kph (30mph) in built-up areas, unless otherwise indicated. Seatbelts are compulsory for drivers and front-seat passengers and for rear-seat passengers, if fitted. Motorcyclists must wear helmets. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.08%. The legal driving age is 18 years. Overseas driving licences and International Driving Permits are valid for driving in Britain for up to one year. Insurance is mandatory. Overseas motorists should bring registration documents and ask their insurance company if a Green Card is required.

Mantais Cymru (Traffic Wales) provides traffic and road user information for travel to, from and within Wales (tel: (0845) 602 6020; website: www.traffic-wales.com). Breakdown service and general motoring information is provided by the Automobile Association (tel: (0870) 550 0600; website: www.theaa.co.uk), the Royal Automobile Club – RAC (tel: (0870) 572 2722; website: www.rac.co.uk) and Green Flag (tel: (0800) 001 371; website: www.greenflag.co.uk).

Emergency breakdown services:
AA (0800) 887 766 (toll free)
Green Flag (0800) 400 600 (toll free)
RAC (0800) 828 282 (toll free)

Routes to the city: The M4 is the main direct route to Cardiff from elsewhere in the UK, through London, Reading, Swindon, Bath and Bristol, crossing the Second Severn Crossing (M4) and continuing on to Swansea. From the north and Midlands, the M5 passes through Birmingham to link with the M4 near Bristol. The Severn Suspension Bridge (M48) provides an alternate route over the River Severn. A toll (westbound only) is charged on both bridges (lorries and buses 13.30, vans 8.90, cars 4.40 and motorcycles free). Eastbound crossings from Wales into England are free for all vehicles. Toll charges are revised every January (tel: (01454) 633 522, for details).

Approximate driving times to Cardiff: From Swansea – 1 hour; Birmingham – 2 hours 30 minutes; London – 3 hours.

Coach services: National Express (tel: (0870) 580 8080; website: www.gobycoach.com) runs direct services between Cardiff and most other major UK towns and cities. It also operates services to Ireland via the Fishguard–Rosslare ferry. Eurolines (part of National Express) serves destinations on mainland Europe.

Cardiff’s coach and bus station is on Wood Street, immediately outside the railway station. About a dozen different coach and bus operators offer services around the city and further afield. Facilities are sparse but include a newsagent, fast-food outlets and a taxi rank. The terminal also is close to city centre amenities.

Getting There By Rail

The main rail companies for long distance cross-country services to and from Cardiff are First Great Western (tel: (08457) 484 950; website: www.great-western-trains.co.uk) and Virgin Trains (tel: (08457) 222 333; website: www.virgintrains.co.uk). Express services are generally fast and comfortable, although the further west they go, the more frequent are the stops and the slower the run. Local and regional routes are operated by Valley Lines (tel: (029) 2044 9944; website: www.valleylines.co.uk) and Wales and Borders (tel: (0845) 606 1660; website: www.walesandborderstrains.co.uk). Local services are by their nature less rapid, serving numerous smaller stations. Most trains are relatively new but there is still some older rolling stock in service on the minor Valley Lines routes, which can be a bit noisy and rough-riding. National Rail Enquiries (tel: (08457) 484 950) handles all rail enquiries.

Cardiff Central, Central Square, is the main rail station. The booking office is open Monday to Saturday 0545-2130 and Sunday 0645-2130. Facilities include a tourist information centre, ATMs, newsagent/bookseller and a fast-food outlet. Hertz has a car hire office immediately outside the main building in Central Square.

Rail services: Hourly services to and from London Paddington are run by First Great Western via Reading, Swindon, Bristol Parkway and Newport (journey time – 2 hours). There are also rail connections between Cardiff, Swansea (journey time – 1 hour) and West Wales, as well as long distance cross-country services to cities such as Newcastle-upon-Tyne (journey time – 6 hours), York (journey time – 4 hours 40 minutes), Sheffield (journey time – 3 hours 30 minutes) and Birmingham (journey time – 2 hours), operated by Virgin Trains.

Transport to the city: Cardiff Central is located southwest of the city centre, approximately a three-minute walk. The bus station and a taxi stand are located immediately outside the station.

Getting Around

Public Transport
Public transport in the city is by bus and the main provider is Cardiff Bus (tel: (029) 2066 6444 or (0870) 608 2608; website: www.cardiffbus.com), which is based opposite the central bus station on Wood Street. Buses generally operate between 0530 and 2330 with reduced hours at the weekend and on public holidays. A system of colour-coded fare zones operates, with the city centre being Zone A (red). A single ticket for journeys within Zone A costs 0.60 at all times. Tickets are available for purchase on the bus and passengers must have the exact change. Multiride tickets and other discounted passes are available from the Cardiff Bus office. A 24-hour CityRider pass, giving unlimited travel on all Cardiff Bus services within Cardiff and Penarth, costs 3.20 (concessions are available). First Cymru (tel: (01792) 580 580; website: www.firstcymru.co.uk) operates some regional bus services from 0500 to 2320. A First Day pass is available for one day of unlimited travel on all First local buses (except shuttle services) within South Wales, for 4.70. These are available for purchase on the bus.

Most local train services are run by Valley Lines (tel: (029) 2023 1978 or 2044 9944; website: www.valleylines.co.uk), which operate approximately 0500-2430 on weekdays, starting later at the weekend and on public holidays. In addition to Cardiff Central, there are several local rail stations, including Cardiff Queen Street, Cardiff Bay and Cathays. A standard day single ticket on Valley Lines costs 1.20. Tickets are available for purchase at the station or on board. A Day Explorer pass is available for 6. This allows for one day of unlimited travel on Valley Lines train services and Stagecoach (tel: (0870) 608 2608) buses around the Valleys, as well as discounts for tourist attractions along the way. However, this pass is not valid for trains between Cardiff Central, Bridgend, Maesteg or Newport.

General information on public transport throughout Wales is available from Mantais Cymru (tel: (0870) 608 2608).

Taxis
All taxis can be hailed on the street, whether black hackney cabs or cars with company logos indicating that they are taxis. Alternatively, taxis can be ordered by telephone from any of dozens of firms in Cardiff, such as Black Cabs (tel: (029) 2034 3343), Central Taxis (tel: (029) 2066 6333) and Dragon Taxis (tel: (029) 2044 4444). Visitors should expect to pay about 4.00 for a journey across town, plus tip of approximately 10-12% of the fare.

Limousines
Several companies in the area offer chauffeur-driven and self-drive limousine hire, including Wilson and Wilson (tel: (029) 2056 1531; e-mail: wilsoncars@nascr.net; website: www.wilson-cars.co.uk). Rates (including chauffeur) are approximately 20-25 per hour, depending on the distance travelled.

Driving in the City
Driving in Cardiff is usually trouble free, although traffic becomes heavy during rush hours (Monday to Friday 0800-0900 and 1700-1800). Finding a parking space on the street can be more problematic, as many of the residential roads in the centre are for permit holders only. Although cars that contravene parking regulations may be towed away, a parking fine is more usual. There are ten or more large multi-storey car parks in and around the city centre, including three near Cardiff Central station and six more within a short walk. A park and ride bus runs on Saturday from Maritime Street on Cardiff Bay. Parking charges for one hour range from 1 to 2, while 24-hour parking in the multi-storey car parks is charged at approximately 9.50.

Car Hire
Regulations vary from company to company. However, in all cases, drivers will require a valid driving licence to hire a car. This can usually be a national driving licence, although an International Driving Permit may be preferred if the licence is not in English. A credit card is essential. The minimum age to hire a car is 18 years, although this may be increased to 21 or 25 years, depending on the company. It is important for drivers to check the level of insurance included in the price of car hire.

In addition to Europcar, Avis and Hertz at the airport, city-based car hire companies include Avis, 14-22 Tudor Street, Riverside (tel: (029) 2034 2111; website: www.avis.co.uk), 1car1.com, 4 Garth Street (tel: (029) 2046 4537; website: www.1car1.com), and Hertz, 9 Central Square (tel: (029) 2022 4548; website: www.hertz.co.uk).

Rates for a small car start from 20 per day or 145 per week, including insurance and taxes.

Bicycle Hire
Bicycles can be hired during the summer from the Taff Trail Hire Centre, Pontcanna Fields (tel: (029) 2039 8362), and The Waterfront, Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay (tel: (029) 2048 4110). Daily rates start at 9.00 for adults, 6.50 for children and 28.00 for a family ticket (two adults and two children). The Taff Trail, which is ideal for cyclists, extends from Cardiff Bay to Brecon, 87km (54 miles) to the north.

Business

Business Profile
Cardiff’s formerly industry-dominated economy has shifted radically in recent years towards the service sector, which now employs more than 80% of the workforce. One of the main growth areas is financial services, which employs around 37,000 people in the city. Cardiff’s formal position as political, administrative and commercial capital of Wales further reinforces this transformed economic profile. The coming of the National Assembly has brought many new jobs to the area. Business tourism – including conferences and conventions – is another expanding market, as is the high-tech media sector.

This massive growth in the service sectors, along with re-industrialisation centred on incoming international electronics and motor components firms, have been highlights of the South Wales business environment in recent years. They have created much new employment in the Cardiff area, where unemployment rates are now lower (at 2.8%) than in Wales overall (4%) and the UK as a whole (3.3%).

The biggest single manufacturing employer in Cardiff is the Matsushita Corporation, and overall, industrial jobs occupy 10% of the local workforce. The British government (through the Welsh Office and the Welsh Development Agency) and the European Union have attracted many national and multinational companies to Wales with generous incentives.

The regeneration of Cardiff Bay will eventually provide 1.35 million sq metres (14.5 million sq ft) of both commercial and industrial space and 31,000 new jobs through 1.8 billion Pounds of investment. It has already attracted high-profile businesses, including the European headquarters of NCM Credit Insurance. Major commercial developments have also been taking place in the city centre, notably the new Callaghan Square complex. Commercial activity primarily takes place in the city centre, at Cardiff Bay and at Llanishen, although there are several business/industrial estates on the outskirts of the city, including Ocean Park on the site of the old East Moors Steel Works and the new Pengam Green complex.

Business Etiquette
As in most modern urban centres, the nine-to-five mentality is no longer prevalent, with many employees working much longer hours. All public-sector organisations are bilingual but most private companies conduct business in English unless all parties speak Welsh. Overseas visitors should be prepared to speak English during meetings, if necessary through an interpreter. It is common practice to shake hands in greeting and to use ‘Mr’, ‘Ms’ etc. plus surnames, until both parties agree to use forenames. Professional or honorary titles should be acknowledged. Punctuality is expected for business meetings and suits are customary for both men and women; men should also wear a tie. It is advisable to carry business cards.

Business meetings in the UK can be fairly formal affairs, depending on their level. It is common for lunches and dinners to form part of the process and visiting business people are often entertained out of working hours by their hosts. However, it is more usual for the party doing the ‘selling’ to provide the hospitality, rather than the ‘buyer’. The exchange of gifts is not usually necessary but often the ‘seller’ will present them. It is also common for staff to socialise out of working hours at a local pub or wine bar, particularly towards the end of the week both during the lunch hour and immediately after the working day is over.

Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview
Being in the throes of redevelopment, especially around the Cardiff Bay area, the city is constantly opening up new attractions. The old favourites – Cardiff Castle, Llandaff Cathedral and the museums – are still popular and as worthy of a visit as ever but they must now compete with the newcomers, most of which are concentrated on the waterfront. For this reason, visitors could consider Cardiff Bay as one huge tourist attraction and approach individual sights as components within it.

Attractions are dotted all over the city. The Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Castle, for example, are in the city centre, the National Museum and Gallery is a short distance away, at Cathays Park, while the Museum of Welsh Life is in St Fagans, on the city’s western outskirts. The cathedral is situated in what is quaintly called ‘the City of Llandaff’, three kilometres (two miles) from the city centre.

Tourist Information
Cardiff Visitor Centre (Canolfan Croeso Caerdydd)
16 Wood Street
Tel: (029) 2022 7281. Fax: (029) 2063 9162.
E-mail: enquiries@cardifftic.co.uk
Website: www.cardiff.gov.uk
Opening hours: Mon, Wed and Sat 0900-1700, Tues 1000-1700, Sun 1000-1400 (open later during school holidays).

Passes
There are no tourist passes available in Cardiff. Admission charges to national attractions, such as Cardiff’s National Museum and Gallery and the Museum of Welsh Life, were abolished in 2001, except for special temporary exhibitions.

Key Attractions

Cardiff Castle (Castell Caerdydd)
Founded in Roman times and developed into a stronghold by the Normans, the ruins of the Norman keep remain. However, the present castle owes its appeal to the Victorian eccentricities of the third Marquis of Bute (1848-1900). Under his direction, architect William Burges (1827-1881) added neo-Gothic towers and ornate interiors with murals, stained glass windows and decorative carving. The castle also houses two military museums and has extensive grounds, incorporated into Bute Park.

Castle Street
Tel: (029) 2087 8100. Fax: (029) 2023 1417.
E-mail: cardiffcastle@cardiff.gov.uk
Website: www.cardiff.gov.uk/castle
Transport: Bus 19, 21, 23, 24 or 25.
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1800 (Mar-Oct); daily 0930-1630 (Nov-Feb); last tour departs an hour prior to closing time.
Admission: 5.50 (grounds and 50-minute tour of interior); 2.75 (grounds only); concessions available.

Millennium Stadium (Stadiwm y Milleniwm)
Located on the hallowed turf of the former Cardiff Arms Park, the 72,500-capacity Millennium Stadium is one of the most modern sports venues in Europe. Plans for the complex include a Rugby Hall of Fame, a Welsh Rugby Union Museum and a riverside walkway accessible by boat. Guided tours are available, taking visitors to the pitch, dressing rooms, royal box and other areas.

Westgate Street
Tel: (029) 2082 2228.
Website: www.millenniumstadium.co.uk
Transport: Five-minute walk from Cardiff Central station.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1000-1630 (excluding match days).
Admission: 5 (concessions available).

Llandaff Cathedral (Eglwys Gadeiriol Llandaf)
Located three kilometres (two miles) from the city centre, in a quiet conservation area, Llandaff Cathedral was founded by St Teilo, in the sixth century, although work began on the present building in 1107. The edifice’s full name is The Cathedral and Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Dyfrig, Teilo and Euddogwy. In 1734, the first of several restorations got underway, the last of which was just after World War II, as a result of German bombing badly damaging the nave. The cathedral nowadays is a mix of styles from all these periods. In the sanctuary is St Teilo’s Tomb, which, before the Reformation, made the church one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Wales.

Cardiff Road, Llandaff
Tel: (029) 2056 4554.
E-mail: office@llandaffcathedral.org.uk
Website: www.llandaffcathedral.org.uk
Transport: Bus 33, 53 or 63; free car park.
Opening hours: Sat-Thurs 0730-1845, Fri 0700-1845.
Admission: Free.

Cathays Park (Parc Cathays)
This impressive, tree-lined area of monumental, white Portland stone buildings reflects the wealth coal and steel industries brought to the city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Highlights include Cardiff University, the Law Courts, City Hall, Alexandra Gardens and the National Museum and Gallery. This museum and gallery boasts an extensive collection of art and archaeology, including a fine collection of Impressionist paintings, Bronze Age treasures and Celtic artefacts. The Evolution of Wales exhibition traces the natural history of Wales over 4600 million years.

City Centre
Tel: (029) 2068 4000 (Cardiff County Council Highways and Parks)
Transport: A ten-minute walk from the city centre; bus 8, 9, 34, 35 or 47; train to Cathays station; parking available.
Opening hours: Dawn-dusk.
Admission: Free.

National Museum and Gallery (Amgueddfa ac Oriel Genedlaethol)
Tel: (029) 2039 7951. Fax: (029) 2037 3219.
E-mail: post@nmgw.ac.uk
Website: www.nmgw.ac.uk/nmgc
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1700; open on bank holiday Mondays.
Admission: Free (excluding some temporary exhibitions).

Cardiff Bay (Bae Caerdydd)
Cardiff Bay juxtaposes outstanding modern architecture, 19th-century dockland heritage and the natural assets of the waterfront to create a striking environment. The Cardiff Bay Barrage (tel: (029) 2087 7900), open to the public since June 2001, created a new freshwater lake and 12km (7.5 miles) of waterfront with parks, entertainment complexes, shops, bars and restaurants. Some of the completed schemes include the St David’s Hotel & Spa, Mermaid Quay shopping and leisure centre and the Atlantic Wharf leisure complex. Boat tours around the Bay and out to the Barrage are available, operated by Cardiff Cats (tel: (029) 2048 8842).

Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru (Wales Millennium Centre) is planned as a new home for Welsh National Opera and other major Welsh arts organisations. The complex is due to open late in 2004 (see Culture). Watching over the changes are some interesting buildings from Cardiff’s heyday in the last century, including the redbrick Pierhead Building, which houses an exhibition about the Welsh National Assembly, and the striking Norwegian Church Arts Centre, where author Roald Dahl was christened. Nearby is Techniquest, the UK’s largest interactive science discovery centre. An unusual and interesting attraction, operated by the Churches of Wales, is the Goleulong 2000 Lightship, which is the centre for the Bay Chaplaincy and incorporates a chapel. The public is invited to tour the ship, visit the caf or to come in and pray or talk with someone on the team.

Another must is the Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre – locals call it the ‘Tube’, as it resembles a giant futuristic telescope. Designed by William Alsop, the centre combines a steel frame with plywood panels beneath a waterproof skin. The glass end of the tube offers a panoramic view across the bay. It is a popular meeting, conference and presentation venue and provides detailed information on Cardiff Bay.

Cardiff Bay
Tel: (029) 2046 3833. Fax: (029) 2048 6650 (Visitor Centre)
Website: www.cardiffbay.co.uk
Transport: Bus 7, 7A, 7B, 8, 8A, 8B, CB1 or X22; train to Cardiff Bay station via Queen Street station; a 20-minute walk from the city centre.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1900, Sat, Sun and public holidays 1030-1830 (May-Sep); Mon-Fri 0930-1700, Sat and Sun 1030-1700 (Oct-Apr).
Admission: Free.

Norwegian Church Arts Centre
Harbour Drive
Tel: (029) 2045 4899 or (0870) 013 1812 (box office). Fax: (029) 2049 5122.
E-mail: norweigan.church@talk21.com
Website: http://members.lycos.co.uk/norwegianchurch2/artscentre.html
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1600; evening performances 1930 or 2000.
Admission: Free; performance prices vary.

Techniquest
Stuart Street
Tel: (029) 2047 5475. Fax: (029) 2048 2517
Website: www.tquest.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1630, Sat, Sun and public holidays 1030-1700; last admission 45 minutes before closing.
Admission: 6.30.

Goleulong 2000 Lightship
Harbour Drive
Tel: (029) 2048 7609.
Website: www.lightship2000.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1100-1700, Sun 1400-1700.
Admission: Free.

Museum of Welsh Life (Amgueddfa Werin Cymru)
This museum is set in 42 hectares (104 acres) of parkland, in the village of St Fagans, west of the city centre. It has sufficient scope to keep visitors occupied for a full day and, like the National Museum, there is no charge for admission. The Elizabethan mansion, St Fagans Castle, is under refurbishment in the style of a late-Victorian Welsh mansion. An extensive collection of historic Welsh buildings, including a 19th-century farmyard, pottery, tannery and a Victorian schoolroom, have been brought from all over Wales and rebuilt in the extensive grounds. There is also a recreated Iron-age Celtic village on the site.

St Fagans Castle
Tel: (029) 2057 3500. Fax: (029) 2057 3490.
Website: www.nmgw.ac.uk/mwl
Transport: Bus 32, 32A, 32B or 56; free parking is available.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission: Free.

Further Distractions

Green Spaces
Roath Park is one of the city’s most attractive parks, with rose gardens, a boating lake and a memorial to Captain Scott, who set sail from Cardiff on his Antarctic expedition. Bute Park, formerly the grounds of the castle, is also a delightful place to stroll. Few cities can boast such a green route directly into its heart as the Taff Trail, a cycle route that winds its way north to south from Brecon through Cardiff city centre to Cardiff Bay.

Tel: (029) 2068 4000 (Cardiff County Council Highways and Parks Service Area)

Roath Park
Approximately two kilometres (one mile) northeast of the city centre
Transport: Bus 28 or 29.
Opening hours: Dawn-dusk
Admission: Free.

Bute Park
Castle Street
Transport: Bus 19, 21, 23, 24 or 25.
Opening hours: Dawn-dusk
Admission: Free.

Tours of the City

WalesLink Visitor Services (tel: (029) 2052 2202; fax: (029) 2052 9310; e-mail: info@wales-vs.com) provides guides for planned itinerary tours of Cardiff and Wales.

Walking Tours
Group walking tours of the Cardiff Bay area can be booked through the Cardiff Bay Tours (tel: (029) 2070 7882). A two-hour guided tour taking in the major points of interest around Cardiff Bay costs 50 per group. Walks depart from the Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre (tel: (029) 2046 3833).

Bus Tours
Guide Friday (tel: (01789) 294 466; website: www.guidefriday.com/cardiff_home.htm) operates frequent circular ‘hop-on, hop-off’ open-top bus tours of Cardiff departing from the castle every day from Easter to October. The bus stops at major sights around the city and at Cardiff Bay and the full trip takes a little under an hour. Tickets cost 7 for adults (concessions available). City Sightseeing (tel: (01708) 866 000; website: www.city-sightseeing.com) operates a similar service all year round, also for 7 (concessions available).

Excursions

For a Half Day

Castell Coch: Situated in woodland at Tongwynlais, just outside the city on the A470, this landmark is a memorial to the imagination of the third Marquis of Bute, his skilled architect William Burges and the Victorian idealisation of all things medieval. Built on the site of a 13th-century fort, Castell Coch (tel: (029) 2081 0101; website: www.castlewales.com/coch.html) has all the trappings of a fairytale castle. Opening hours are daily 0930-1700 (March-October) and Monday-Saturday 0930-1600, Sunday 1100-1600 (November-February). Admission costs 3. There is a car park for those with their own car; alternatively, the train (or bus 26) goes to Taff’s Well station.

Big Pit (Pwll Mawr) – National Mining Museum of Wales: Central to Cardiff’s past glory was the coal industry of the Valleys and at Blaenafon, about 40km (25 miles) northeast of the city. Visitors can now take a guided trip, led by an ex-miner, 90m (300ft) underground to see a coal mine. Blaenafon is a newly designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. As with other national Welsh museums, admission to Big Pit is now free of charge. A visit lasts a minimum of two-and-a-half hours and warm clothing is recommended. Children under five, or less than one metre tall (three feet), are not allowed underground. Big Pit (tel: (01495) 790 311; fax: (01495) 792 618; website: www.nmgw.ac.uk/bigpit) is open daily from March to November, 0930-1700 (tours run from 1000-1530). From Cardiff, public transport is by train to Newport. Direct buses to the museum – approximately a 20-minute walk from the centre of Blaenafon – leave from Newport bus station three times each morning. By car, is the easiest option from Cardiff is for visitors to take the M4, which runs east to Junction 25A, then the A4042 to Pontypool and the A472/4043 into Blaenafon.

For a Whole Day

Brecon Beacons National Park: This area of stunning mountains, moorland and forest is one the treasures of South Wales. Brecon Beacons National Park (tel: (01874) 624 437; fax: (01874) 622 574; e-mail: enquiries@breconbeacons.org; website: www.breconbeacons.org) is situated to the north of Cardiff and transport (by train from Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil plus scenic bus connection to Brecon) is almost as pleasurable as the visit itself. Drivers should take the picturesque route via the Usk Valley.

Sport

There is no better way of understanding Welsh identity than to go to an international rugby match and listen to Hen Wlad fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers) ringing around the stadium. Rugby is the national game, played with huge enthusiasm and commitment. The Welsh Rugby Union is based in Cardiff (tel: (029) 2078 1700; website: www.wru.co.uk) and home international matches are played at the Millennium Stadium (tel: (0870) 558 2582; fax: (029) 2023 2678; website: www.millenniumstadium.co.uk). The local club team, Cardiff RFC (tel. (029) 2030 2000; fax: (029) 2030 2001; website: www.cardiffrfc.com) plays on a ground adjacent to the Millennium Stadium. The home team was Welsh League Champions in 1994-95 and has claimed the Welsh Cup seven times. However, the Cardiff RFC’s main claim to rugby fame is that they have never lost to Australia. The club is a breeding ground for national players and the current Welsh captain, David Young, is a Cardiff player.

Cardiff City Football Club, Nationwide League Division 2 (tel: (029) 2022 1001; website: www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk), plays at Ninian Park, Sloper Road. Glamorgan County Cricket Club (tel: (029) 2040 9380; e-mail: glam@ecb.co.uk; website: www.glamorgancricket.com) plays some of its home games at Sophia Gardens. The Wales National Ice Rink, Hayes Bridge Road, is home to Findus British National Ice Hockey League team, the Cardiff Devils (website: www.thecardiffdevils.co.uk).

Tickets to sporting events are available for purchase from the individual venues or via their websites.

Athletics: Cardiff Athletic Stadium, Leckwith Road (tel: (029) 2022 5345), is an international standard stadium with a capacity for 5000 spectators. In addition to the athletics track and sports field, the stadium has an enclosed skateboard area, a multifunction area for keep-fit, aerobics, ‘boxercise’, the ‘Strides’ gym and floodlit artificial surface playing fields. The stadium is open to all and is home to the Cardiff Athletic Club and stars such as Darren Campbell and Jamie Baulch.

Fitness centres: Centres equipped with swimming pools as well as sport and fitness facilities include Eastern Leisure Centre, Llanrumney Avenue (tel: (029) 2079 6616), Fairwater Leisure Centre, Waterhall Road, Fairwater (tel: (029) 2055 2210), Llanishen Leisure Centre, Ty Glas Avenue, Llanishen (tel: (029) 2076 2411), Pentwyn Leisure Centre, Bryn Celyn Road, Pentwyn (tel: (029) 2054 9211), and Western Leisure Centre, Caerau Lane, Ely (tel: (029) 2059 3592).

Golf: There are about a dozen golf courses in and near the city. Cardiff Golf Club, Sherbourne Avenue (tel: (029) 2075 3320), has 18 holes on a parkland course. Visitors are welcome but must be accompanied by a member at weekends. The green fee for visitors is 35. Cottrell Park (tel. (01446) 781781; fax: (01446) 781 187; e-mail: admin@cottrell-park.co.uk; website: www.cottrell-park.co.uk), located at St Nicholas, 11km (seven miles) from Cardiff city centre, also welcomes visitors and offers two 18-hole courses and a floodlit driving range. Green fees start from 29.95 for two players (including the sue of a buggy). Prices in all clubs vary depending on the time of week.

Riding: Cardiff Riding School, Pontcanna Fields, Llandaff (tel: (029) 2038 3908), is home to about 40 horses and ponies and caters for all ages and abilities. All instructors are approved by the British Horse Society.

Tennis: The Welsh National Tennis Centre is located at Ocean Park, Cardiff Bay (tel: (029) 2045 2000).

Shopping

The main delights of shopping in Cardiff are to be found in the specialist shops and boutiques within the seven Victorian and Edwardian arcades located around the city centre. Major department stores, such as Howells, are situated in Working Street and Queen Street, the main pedestrian thoroughfares and in the shopping malls – Capitol Centre, Queen’s Arcade and St David’s Centre. Mermaid Quay is a new development at the head of the inner harbour, designed as a ‘Covent Garden-on-sea’, with growing numbers of speciality shops, restaurants and cafs. Cardiff Central Market, housed in an attractive Victorian ironwork building with entrances on St Mary Street and Working Street, sells fresh produce, including fish, meat and Welsh cheeses and is open Monday to Saturday 0900-1700. About 50 antique sellers take part in the market at Jacob’s Antique Centre, West Canal Wharf (tel: (029) 2039 0939), open 1000-1700 Thursday to Saturday. The Welsh Tartan Centre, 30 Castle Arcade (tel: (029) 2022 8272; fax: (029) 2034 4133; e-mail sales@welsh-tartan.com; website: www.welsh-tartan.com), sells Welsh tartan gifts. There is a small specialist Chinese supermarket in Tudor Street, across the river from the Millennium Stadium.

Normal shopping hours are 0900-1800, although many shops open later on Thursday and Friday, while some major stores open on Sundays. At shops displaying ‘Tax Free Shopping’ signs, non-EU visitors can avail themselves of the international Global Refund service, which offers VAT refunds on certain goods upon leaving the EU. Shoppers need to ask for a ‘tax-free cheque’ when making their purchases, which is then stamped by customs upon leaving the EU. VAT on most items is levied at 17.5% and refunds are available for collection at Global Refund offices, located at major exit points. Alternatively the money can be credited to a bank account or a cheque sent to a home address.

Culture

Wales celebrates its ancient Celtic heritage at numerous Eisteddfod festivals around the country, although it is in the field of popular music that the nation has captured the worldwide imagination over recent years. Bands like Stereophonics, Catatonia, Super Furry Animals and Manic Street Preachers have achieved huge success. And more are on the way. Cardiff is the cultural capital of Wales, with top-quality venues, including the Oval Basin, an open-air auditorium next to Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, which is designed for concerts and special events. Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru (Wales Millennium Centre) is scheduled to open on the Waterfront at Cardiff Bay in late 2004 (website: www.wmc.org.uk), providing a new home for organisations such as Welsh National Opera (website: www.wno.org.uk) and the Dance Company of Wales (website: www.diversionsdance.co.uk).

Tickets to cultural events and performance are available for purchase via the various venues, either online or by telephone. Once in Cardiff, visitors are able to purchase tickets in person from the box offices.

Good sources of detailed information are available online at Virtual Cardiff (website: www.virtualcardiff.co.uk) and What’s On in Cardiff (website: www.metroplex.co.uk), which have links to many cultural venues and events taking place around the city.

Music: The male voice choir is an internationally acclaimed symbol of Welsh pride. Local exponents include the Cr Meibion Caerdydd – Cardiff Male Choir (website: www.malevoicechoir.net/wel/cardiff.htm) and Cr Meibion De Cymru – South Wales Male Choir (website: www.south-wales-mvc.demon.co.uk). The latter is the largest male choir in Wales. St David’s Hall, The Hayes (tel: (029) 2087 8444, box office or 2087 8420, for recorded information; website: www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk), is the national concert hall for Wales and Cardiff’s main music venue and plays host to the biannual Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. The next event takes place in 2003. Competitors in previous years include world-famous baritone Bryn Terfel, in 1989. The hall is also the performance home of the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales (tel: (0800) 052 1812; website: www.bbc.co.uk/wales/now). The Welsh National Opera (tel: (029) 2046 4666; website: www.wno.org.uk) performs at the New Theatre, Park Place (tel: (029) 2087 8889; fax: (029) 2087 8879; website: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk), but will relocate to the Wales Millennium Centre (see above) in 2003.

Theatre: The New Theatre (see above) was founded in 1906 and completely refurbished in the 1980s. It is now the premier venue in Wales for touring theatre and dance companies and is, for the time being, the home of the Welsh National Opera (see above). Companies playing at the New Theatre in recent years have included the Royal National Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru and the Northern Ballet Theatre. The Sherman Theatre, Senghennydd Road (tel: (029) 2064 6900, box office; fax: (029) 2064 6902; e-mail: marketing@shermantheatre.demon.co.uk; website: www.shermantheatre.co.uk), has a resident company and hosts national and international tour groups in its main and studio theatres. Maintaining the longstanding oral tradition in Wales, Sampler (tel: (029) 2048 4663; e-mail: sampler@poetic.com; website: www.sampler-poetry.freeuk.com) organises poetry readings and other events in Cardiff.

Dance: The new Wales Millennium Centre (see above) will be home to the contemporary dance group, Dance Company of Wales (tel: (029) 2046 5345; fax: (029) 2046 5346; e-mail: diversions@diversionsdance.co.uk; website: www.diversionsdance.co.uk), which commissions and premieres work from cutting-edge international choreographers, frequently touring Wales, the UK and abroad.

Film: Mainstream films can be seen at UGC, Mary Ann Street, the Capitol Odeon, Station Terrace, and Monico, Pantbach Road, as well as at the multiplex cinemas at UCI, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff Bay, and Showcase, Nantgarw, north of the city. The Chapter Arts Centre screens independent and alternative films at its Market Road centre in Canton. Bollywood productions are a speciality of the Galaxy Globe, Roath.

Films set in Cardiff range from the 1959 classic, Tiger Bay, directed by J Lee Thompson and starring Hayley and John Mills, to Human Traffic (1999), Justin Kerrigan’s portrayal of one wild weekend in Cardiff.

Cultural events: Cardiff Singer of the World, takes place in June every other year at St David’s Hall (tel: (012) 2287 8500). Mid-July sees the Welsh Proms at St David’s Hall, which takes place during the annual Cardiff Summer Arts Festival (see Special Events) The Royal National Eisteddfod (tel: (017) 4581 8900; website: www.eisteddfod.org.uk), the largest annual festival of competitive music making and poetry writing in Europe, takes place alternately in North and South Wales in early August each year.

Literary Notes
The most famous writers from Cardiff are probably Roald Dahl, born in Llandaff in 1916, whose autobiography Boy (1984) touches upon his early years in the city, and Ken Follett, the best-selling writer of thrillers and historical novels, who was also born in the city. Dannie Abse was also born in Cardiff, as the title of his autobiography, There Was a Young Man from Cardiff (1991), suggests. Novels set in Cardiff city include River Out of Eden (1951) by Jack Jones, Glass Shot (1991) by Duncan Bush and Cardiff Dead (2000) by John Williams. The late R S Thomas, one of Wales’ greatest poets, was born in the city, although his later poems and were generally centred elsewhere. The poets Peter Finch, who penned Useful (1997) and Food (2001) and Gwyneth Lewis, author of Zero Gravity (1998), both hail from Cardiff.

Nightlife

For its size, Cardiff offers a vast range of nightlife options. The city’s club scene is innovative and constantly changing, with a wide choice of venues. There is a huge choice of bars, caf-bars and restaurants – traditional, ‘trendy’ or both at once. All the action happens in the city centre and at Cardiff Bay. Bohemian-style Mill Lane, otherwise known as the ‘Caf Quarter’, offers a good choice of eating options and bars. Gay venues are generally to be found in Charles Street and elsewhere on the city centre’s southern fringe. Wednesday night is busy, when the university crowds descend on the town for student nights at various venues. Fridays and Saturdays are the traditional evenings for painting the town red. Several bars and clubs, however, are making a concerted effort to liven things up during the rest of the week, with cheap drinks, late licences, live theatre, band nights and poetry sessions.

Pubs and bars are normally licensed for the sale of alcohol Monday to Saturday 1100-2300 and Sunday 1200-2230, although many venues in the city centre are licensed until 0100 or later at weekends. Nightclubs remain open until at least 0200 and many close as late (or early) as 0600, depending on the venue and day of the week. Casinos usually close between 0300 and 0400. All casinos and some bars and clubs may refuse admission to those under 18 years old, which is the legal drinking age. Some venues do not admit anyone under 21 years. The price of a drink very much depends on the venue. In the pubs, a pint of beer can start as low as 1, although averages between 1.50 and 2. In the trendier bars and clubs, prices are often much higher.

Good sources of detailed information are available online at Virtual Cardiff (website: www.virtualcardiff.co.uk) and What’s On in Cardiff (website: www.metroplex.co.uk), which have links to most clubs, cinemas and other entertainment options.

Bars: It is said that ‘there are more Brains in Cardiff’ than elsewhere and The Old Arcade, 14 Church Street, an old-fashioned pub serving food and the locally-made Brain’s beer, is a good place to test this theory. A wide choice of traditional beers and food is also available close by at the Owain Glyndwr, also in Church Street, opposite St John’s Church. Close to Cardiff Central station, the huge but hardly intimate J D Wetherspoon’s Prince of Wales, 82 St Mary’s Street, serves very good value food and drink, including a wide selection of ‘real’ traditional ales. The Angel Tavern, in the Angel Hotel, Castle Street, also offers typical pub delights. In the bay area, The Wharf, 121 Schooner Way, Atlantic Wharf, has good views across the water and cheap food, while live music can be found at The Packet, Bute Street. The Pen & Wig, 1 Park Grove, has a good range of food and beer and a myriad of board games for rainy afternoons. For a livelier evening, try Sam’s Bar, 63 St Mary Street, in the Caf Quarter. This place is a bar/club crossover, with live band events and a late licence until 0200 on Fridays. One of the most popular and trendy bars in the centre, Bar Essential, 35 Windsor Place, is the choice of the city’s young professionals and visiting businesspeople. The Slug and Lettuce, 2-3 Working Street, is also popular. The Model Inn, 14-15 Quay Street, is a lively restaurant-bar. There are, of course, the now-ubiquitous themed ‘Irish’ and ‘Australian’ bars, although a more original interpretation can be found at the South Africa-inspired Springbok, in the UCG cinema complex, Mary Ann Street.

Casinos: Les Croupiers, 32 St Mary Street (website: www.les-croupiers.co.uk) offers roulette, blackjack, mah-jong and other gaming pursuits. Dress code is smart-casual, the minimum age for entry is 18 years and a passport or other form of identification is required. Also centrally located are Grosvenor Casino and Ladbroke Club Casino on Greyfriars Road and Park Place respectively. Both are for members only.

Clubs: Clwb Ifor Bach, 11 Womanby Street, is considered one of the ‘coolest’ clubs in Cardiff. It is situated over three floors and is one of the few clubs to offer action throughout the week. It showcases an eclectic mix of live music and DJs. The Wednesday three-tier menu of acid jazz, 70s funk, Britpop and indie music is hugely popular. Other mainstream venues include Liquid, Imperial Gate, St Mary Street, Zeus, Greyfriars Road, and, for the over-25s set, Rioja Bar, La Brasserie, Mill Lane. The Emporium – the younger sister of the club of the same name in London – 8-10 High Street, is an exclusive, elegant venue, hosting a variety of nights from chart classics and 70s disco to classic soul and old-school funk, with visiting big-name DJs. Cardiff’s biggest gay/mixed venue is Club X, 42 Charles Street.

Housed in the cavernous UCI building on Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff Bay, Evolution is the biggest club in Cardiff and offers a menu of mainstream house, dance and party anthems. A shuttle bus collects partygoers from the New Theatre in the city, every 15 minutes from 2115. Wednesday night is student night, with house and party anthems. Fridays are for over-18s and Saturdays are for the over-20s. Only those in smart clubbing dress will be admitted.

Comedy: The Glee Club (website: www.glee.co.uk), opened in 2001, at Bute Place on Cardiff Bay’s Mermaid Quay. It stages live acts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Comedy acts can also be seen at The Wharf, Schooner Way.

Live music: Live music is easy to find in many bars around the city – Cardiff has an extremely active music scene. Entry is often free and where admission is charged it is rarely expensive. Caf Jazz, in the Sandringham Hotel, St Mary Street, is home to the Welsh Jazz Society and hosts top local performers as well as international acts. In addition to Clwb Ifor Bach (see Clubs), live acts can be found at the Cardiff Coal Exchange, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay, the Toucan Club, 95-97 St Mary’s Street, for Latin American and salsa, and the University Student’s Union, in Cathays Parks – many events are restricted to NUS card-holders only. A newer venue, the Mount Stuart, West Bute Street, is another option in the Cardiff Bay area (website: www.themountstuart.com). For really big acts, Cardiff International Arena, Mary Ann Street, and occasionally the Millennium Stadium, Westgate Street, are the prime venues.

City Statistics

Location: Southeast Wales (Cymru), United Kingdom.
Country dialling code: 44.
Population: 318,000 (metropolitan area).
Ethnic mix: 92.9% white, 2.8% south Asian, 2.3% black, 2% Chinese and others.
Religion: Majority Welsh non-conformist Christian (Baptist, Methodist etc.) with minorities including Anglican, Muslim, Hindu and other religions.
Time zone: GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; square three-pin plugs are standard.
Average January temp: 4.5C (40F).
Average July temp: 16C (61F).
Average rainfall: 1065mm (41.9 inches).

Special Events

Worthington Cup Final, association football, early Mar, Millennium Stadium
International Festival of Musical Theatre, Apr, various venues (website: www.cardiffmusicals.com)
Rugby League Challenge Cup Final, late Apr, Millennium Stadium
FA Cup Final, association football, May, Millennium Stadium
Cardiff Singer of the World, late Jun, St David’s Hall
Cardiff Summer Festival, various arts performances, Jul-Aug, city centre venues
Welsh Promenade Concerts, classical music, mid Jul, St David’s Hall
International Festival of Musical Theatre, Oct-Nov 2004, various venues
International Film Festival of Wales, late Nov, Chapter Arts Centre and UCI
Calennig Christmas and New Year Celebrations, Dec-Jan, various venues in the city centre

Cost of Living

One-litre bottle of mineral water: 0.35
33cl bottle of beer: 0.99
Financial Times newspaper: 1
36-exposure colour film: 4
City-centre bus ticket: 0.60
Adult football ticket: 10-16
Three-course meal with wine/beer: From 17

1 British Pound Sterling (1) = US$1.90; C$2.38; A$2.45; 1.48
Currency conversion rates as of May 2005