Cardiff Bay History and Architecture Walking Tour

The unique architecture of Cardiff Bay makes for iconic international images. But we also remember that just 100 years ago, Cardiff was the biggest coal port in the world. Millions of tons of iron and coal were exported providing rail tracks, machinery and power for the world.
Cardiff earned the nickname Tiger Bay, rough and ready, it was one of the most cosmopolitan places of its age.

This tour will take a walk through history, telling stories through old, remodelled and new buildings.

Included in the tour is a coffee/refreshment at an iconic Bay Building.

A number of photographs from the Tiger Bay archive collection will be used to show how the Bay has developed.

The tour guide will be a qualified local guide; a member of Wales Official Tourist Guides Association. These are the only guides officially recognised by Visit Wales and Welsh Government to guide in Wales. They have undergone extensive training, passing both practical and academic guiding examinations.

Meeting Point

Pierhead Building

Pierhead Building, Cardiff CF10 4PZ, UK

This is a very large red brick building, near Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay. Next to the Millennium Centre and the Senedd - Welsh Parliament

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours

Pierhead Building

Pierhead Building, Cardiff CF10 4PZ, UK

We will start and end the tour here.
Stop at the exterior and hear the history

10 minutes

Senedd

Cardiff Bay Pierhead Street, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF99 1SN

Senedd, Welsh Parliament - We will visit exterior and hear history.

5 minutes

Norwegian Church Arts Centre

Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF10 4PA

View the exterior and hear the history

5 minutes

Cardiff Bay Barrage

Cardiff

Cardiff Bay barrage is one of the biggest regeneration projects in the UK. A 500 acre fresh water lake has been created by holding back the sea and 8 miles of water side land created for leisure development. We will have an orientation tour.

10 minutes

Mermaid Quay

Management Suite, , Cardiff, CF10 5BZ

We will take a waterfront walk, learn about the development of Cardiff Bay and the history of Cardiff Docks and Tiger Bay

20 minutes

Wales Millennium Centre

Bute Place, Cardiff, CF10 5AL

View the exterior and learn the history.
If the building is open we can go into the foyer area

15 minutes

Mount Stuart Square

Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff CF10, UK

We will take a walk around the historic quarter of Cardiff Bay and learn more about Tiger Bay and Canal Park.

20 minutes

The Coal Exchange Hotel

Building Bay, The Exchange, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff CF10 5FQ, UK

Visit the exterior and learn the history.
If the building is open we can go in to see the reception and the former trading floor

15 minutes