Golf, History and Luxury in Cardiff City

Cardiff city is the capital city of Wales and one of the largest cities in the United Kingdom.  It is Wale’s main commercial centre and the hub of many of the county’s sporting and cultural institutions. It is part of the Eurocities and so visitors can directly access many European cities and some of the best holiday resorts in Europe.

The cultural hub attracts scores of visitors each year who are looking for a magical place inundated with adventurous activities and sheer entertainment, and Cardiff is just this kind of place. It is described as “Europe’s youngest capital city.”

It is a city with many incredible historical structures and sites, breathtaking landscapes, top class entertainment hubs, first class restaurants and a myriad of fun-filled activities. Despite the fact that many people visit Cardiff because of the many wonderful things it has to offer, another reason why so many visitors flock to city is because it has relatively good weather throughout the year compared to some major cities in Europe.  

Therefore, regardless of what time of year you choose to visit Cardiff, you do not have to deal with extreme weather, whether it is in winter or summer. 

Top things to do in Cardiff City

Attractions

If you are taking a Wales Golf Tour holiday break in Cardiff, one of the things on your itinerary should be visits to some of Wale’s iconic buildings that pre-existed before the city transformed into a modern metropolitan area. 

One such place is Cardiff Castle. Situated at the heart of the city centre, the castle is one of Wale’s most treasured gems. It is a Victorian Gothic wonder aureate with gaudy embellishment on the inside and magnificent gargoyle stone-carvings on its wall.  Hallmarked by the grandiloquent Clock Tower, which in itself can only be described as an architectural masterpiece, Cardiff castle is surrounded by rich greenery and flowing fountains, which accentuate its beauty and grandeur.  

Just about  4 minutes away from Cardiff Castle is the National Museum Cardiff,  which is a must see. The museum which also an art gallery houses an enormous art collection including notable works of famous artists as well as collections of botany, geology and archaeology. The museum also holds a number of exhibitions as well as family-friendly events each year.  

Some similarly interesting places you can visit for art and theatre include the Chapter Arts Centre, the Wales Millennium Centre and Fagans National History Museum.

Also of interest is Bute Park, one of the largest and most scenic parks in the UK. Bute Park is a 130-acre recreation area with beautifully landscaped gardens, sculptures, play areas, plenty of woodland, cafes and an education centre. Each year, Bute Park holds the “Sparks in the Park” festival, a fireworks display that is now one of the biggest annual fireworks display in the UK.

Other places of interest in Cardiff that are worth visiting include Roath Park, Castell Coch, Techniquest, Principality Stadium, Senedd, Cardiff Story, Pierhead, Animal Wall and Llandaff Cathedral.

Recreation

When you are on holiday, it is all about eating, drinking, sleeping and playing. So when it comes to recreation, Cardiff has plenty of activities for visitors. Whether you are an adrenalin junkie looking for adventurous high-adrenaline activities or a conservative individual who prefers relaxed activities, there is something for everyone.

Some of the most popular activities with visitors include high water rafting, kayaking, jet skiing, hot air ballooning and walking just to name a few.

Cardiff is also a golf destination for those who enjoy playing both competitive and uncompetitive golf. It is home to several championship golf courses and some of them which are world-class.

The most highly ranked golf course in Cardiff and in Wales as a whole is the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, which has hosted many prestigious tournaments including the Walker Cup, British Masters and the Curtis Cup.  The club which lies between Swansea and Cardiff on the coast of Glamorgan overlooking the impressive Bristol Channel is a great place to play a round golf in breathtaking surroundings.

Next door to Royal Porthcawl is yet another top class golf course, the Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club or simply P&K. Presented as one of the finest golf links courses in Wales, P&K  is only rivalled by its famous neighbour, Royal Porthcawl.  

P&K is a beautifully designed course with glorious views of the Bristol Channel, Sker House, the Gower peninsula and the majestic Welsh mountains.

Southerndown Golf Club which is also next door to Royal Porthcawl and just half an hour away from the Celtic Manor Resort may not be as famous as P&K or Porthcawl, but it has earned itself quite a good reputation over the years ranking as the 13th best golf course in Wales. The course which is perched high above Ogmore River valley offers jaw-dropping views of The British Channel, Swansea Bay and an incredibly beautiful lush green Welsh landscape. The course is playable all throughout the year.

There are a few more world-class golf courses located in Southwales such as the Pennard Golf Club, which is one of Wale’s oldest golf courses located a few kilometres west of Swansea on the Gower Peninsula overlooking Three Cliffs Bay. Then there is the ever popular Southerness Golf Club located on the coast of the Solway Firth, which is said to be the toughest course in the region.

While these courses are outstanding, the courses at the Celtic Manor Resort are definitely something to behold.

The resort which is located just 12 miles east of Cardiff is home to three championship golf courses: The Twenty Ten course, The Roman Road course and The Montgomerie Course. The Twenty Ten course underwent extensive reconstruction for the 2010 Ryder Cup, the first course to be remodelled specifically for a major tournament.  

The resort is also home to several first class restaurants and bars, two golf clubs, luxury lodges, a country inn, two hotels, two spas and a convention centre. 

Where to eat

Cardiff is home to many award-winning restaurants and hotels. And while there are many restaurants in every part of Cardiff, one of the best places to dine in the city is at the Cardiff Bay area.

The newly developed bay is the largest in the UK and has incredible waterfront views, several world-class restaurants, 5-star hotels and more. One of the most popular eating places on Cardiff Bay is Mermaid Quay, a waterfront leisure and shopping district that is home to several restaurants, cafes, bars and shops.

Some top must try restaurants in the Cardiff Bay and in the city centre include Ffresh, Chapter, Purple Poppadom, The Potted Pig and Laguna Kitchen and Bar.

Where to stay

For luxurious and affordable accommodation, one hotel that is popular with visitors is the Cardiff Marriott Hotel located at the heart of the city centre. The hotel is 10 minutes away from Cardiff Castle, and less than a mile away from the National Museum Cardiff.  It is also just minutes away from the Cardiff Golf Club and a number of other golf courses.

The Park Plaza Cardiff is also another popular hotel which is located less than 14 miles from the Celtic Manor Resort and Montgomerie Golf Course. Then there is the St. Pierre Marriot Hotel and Country Club which is also a few minutes away from the Celtic Manor Resort.  

Other highly rated hotels in the city include Radisson Blu Hotel, Lincoln House Private Hotel, Clayton Hotel and Hilton Cardiff.

To experience golf and more in Cardiff City, check out Wales Golf Tours.

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