- Cardiff
- (66)
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United Kingdom
From 1893 Henry Oakley created these labyrinthine paths which twist around above and below ground. James Pulham & Son constructed the man-made dark mysterious grottoes, interspersed with caverns into which natural light filters allowing water lilies, fuchsias and begonias to flourish. After WW11 the gardens were neglected, to the extent that the grottoes were earthed up. More recently they have been re-discovered and renovated.
There are ponds, a fountain, a bog garden with an Indian bean tree and giant rhubarb. Magnificent pine trees are dotted about, formal flower beds and fairy signs for children to seek out.
They sell a small selection of plants next to the friendly cafe where our sandwiches were made for us. A lovely day out in an extraordinary setting.
www.dewstow.co.uk
Caldicot, Caerwent, Caldicot, Monmouthshire NP26 5AH
+44(0)1291 43044
Google map: bit.ly/SGSZix
The Taff Trail is a 55 mile route that starts in bustling Cardiff Bay and ends in the lovely market town of Brecon. It is unique in offering a series of accessible varied rides lasting from a few hours to a whole day. For example, you could do a short ride to Castell Coch a fairytale folly castle or a longer trip to the Bunch of Grapes pub near Pontypridd which serves great food and real ales. Serious cyclists might consider carrying panniers and staying overnight in Brecon. Accomodation options range from a basic tent to a luxury hotel! Don't have a bike? They can be easily hired from Pedal Power, who cater for all ages and abilities.
www.tafftrail.org.uk/index.html
www.wales360.co.uk/castell_coch
Castle Hill, Tongwynlais, Cardiff CF15 7JS
+44(0)29 2081 0101
Google map: bit.ly/HjwddT
www.bunchofgrapes.org.uk/
Ynysyngharad Road, Pontypridd, CF37 4DA
+44(0)1443 402934
Google map: bit.ly/H0cQY9
www.cardiffpedalpower.org/
Off Dogo Street, Cardiff, CF11 9JJ
+44(0) 7775 616411
Google map: bit.ly/GZLVJ6
This restaurant is simply excellent. It serves pure vegetarian Asian food (no fish or eggs are used in the cooking) at affordable prices. The menu has over 100 dishes so you can really keep going back again and again trying something new each time. If you like tofu, paneer and dahl (to name just a few of their ingredients used) you'll love coming to this restaurant. As well as Indian dishes they also serve oriental dishes which are noodle based. My favourite dish is Masala Dosa, a huge pancake of spiced potato which also arrives with a spicy soup and cooling coconut chutney on the side. It tastes just as good as in the bustling cafes of India I remember so fondly. An added bonus is that although they don't have a drink licence you can take your own alcohol into the restaurant. Not to be missed!
109 Penarth Road, Cardiff CF11 6JT.
+442920 238222.
www.vegetarianfoodstudio.co.uk
Google map: bit.ly/h6KoUO
This castle can easily be seen emerging from the trees on a hillside beside the M4 (junction 32). It has a fairytale appearance even when passing at speed, but entering the castle takes this feeling of enchantment further. Unlike most castles this one is relatively modern (although built on ancient foundations) and is the result of money and Victorian imagination taken to the extreme. It was built as an elaborate holiday retreat for the 3rd marquess of Bute at the end of the 19th century. Its walls are beautifully decorated with intricate paintings of many things, including Aesop's Fables in one room. The furniture and decor is wonderfully over the top and bizarre. There is also Caerphilly Castle 5 minuites drive away, with all the splendor of a decayed ancient castle but Castell Coch brings history to life in a fantastically refreshing way to adults and children alike. It is reasonably priced and also has a lovely, if small, tea room.
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk, www.castlewales.com/coch.html
02920 810101
Google map: tinyurl.com/38v9hjf
Follow signs from junction 32 of the M4
This is a great small independent bar with a big heart. The music is always spot on whether it's laid back lunch or feel good Friday. This place does great Welsh food produced only from the local area. The Promised Land has a nice big city atmosphere that you would find in New York or Manchester. The best pubs and bars are catalysts...friendships can be forged in them, relationships can be made, business can be done and memories created. This is what The Promised Land is - a home from home, a place to meet and greet, a bolt hole, and a place you rest on your journey. You'll enjoy whether you are a romancer, dancer, soul boy, beat kid, young go-getter or should know better!
4 Windsor Place, Cardiff, 029 2039 8998
www.thepromisedlanduk.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/33g7ycx
A very good cycle route from Penarth Road to St Fagans via Ely (and back). Cardiff County Council say that the Ely Trail goes 'along the whole length of the River Ely within the council boundary. The trail is a mainly off-road stone-dust path suitable for cyclists and walkers. The Ely Trail is nearly finished apart from the old paper mill site (Arjo Wiggins) at Ely Bridge, but it is possible to walk and cycle from Cardiff Bay to St. Fagans. On completion of the bay edge Route it will be possible to link into the Taff Trail and Coastal Path.'
The Council also says that 'the route passes through a variety of landscapes from the mouth of the river, to the rural and parkland landscapes around St Fagans. There are opportunities along the route for leisure activities and to visit sites of historic or environmental significance.'
The only drawback is that there is a bridge with steps at either side to be negotiated half way along the route.
This cycle route is perfect for that hot and sunny Saturday or Sunday afternoon as the meandering, flat river path takes you from the bustle of the city to the tranquility of the countryside. The sudden change of terrain and surroundings is what makes most of Cardiff's cycle routes a pleasure to experience.
www.cardiff.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=2868%2C4407%2C4411&parent_directory_id=2865&id=3436
Google map: tinyurl.com/2ufbbbc
An ethical, eco-friendly Welsh International Restaurant & Cocktail Bar.
24 Churchill Way, Cardiff City Centre, CF10 2DY
029 2034 3424
www.dizzyllama.co.uk
near Queen Street Station
If you visit Cardiff in Wales then Cardiff Castle is an excellent attraction.
Allow several hours to walk around and it is a decent sized castle.
It is right on the edge of the city centre and very easy to get to.
Castle Street, Cardiff, CF10 3RB, Wales
Tel: (+44) 029 2087 8100
www.cardiffcastle.com/
Google map: tinyurl.com/ygdclo6
On a baking hot and sunny June evening why would anyone want to eat hot and spicy food? Well, ask the diners at Cardiff’s Multi-award winning restaurant Mint & Mustard - because it was packed! Even more surprising it being mid-week.
Chef Anand George developed his culinary skills in Kerala, on the South-western tip of India, before training in the five star luxury hotels of Mumbai.
After moving to London in 2005 George further honed his art in leading Indian restaurants Zaika and La Porte des Indes and gained an enviable reputation as a master of Indian cuisine. This led to the opening of Mint & Mustard, Cardiff in December 2007.
Since its opening, Mint & Mustard has firmly established itself as one of the leading restaurants in South Wales. Chef George has had outstanding success; in 2008 he won both the House of Commons Tiffin Cup and the South Asian Chef of the Year. In 2009, Mint & Mustard became the first Indian restaurant to be named ‘Best Indian Restaurant’ and ‘Best Restaurant in South Wales’ at the South Wales Echo Food and Drink Awards. George is also judging the True Taste of Wales Awards and the UK Chef of The Year for 2009. We were left wondering how he finds the time!
The philosophy at Mint & Mustard is to re-define Indian cuisine, creating sumptuous modern dishes, based on the enduring traditional flavours and spices of Indian cuisine. This was evident from the delicious tasting menu cooked for us by George.
Beginning with a selection of delicacies including Bombay Chat, which is a popular vegetarian snack with yoghurt, mint and chutney. It is placed in the mouth whole as the delicate pastry melts in your mouth leaving the refreshing palate cleansing mint yoghurt behind. This was accompanied by a moist fillet of salmon marinated in honey and ginger and a tender piece of chicken marinated with curd cheese, yoghurt and mint. Despite the fact we had already polished off the basket of Pappadams and chutneys the starters all quickly vanished amid ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’.
Next came the fish course – a delicate fillet of pan fried sea bass accompanied by spicy crushed potatoes with curry leaves and mustard seeds and a sauce of mango and coconut. The potato had quite a kick which strangely did not detract from the taste of the bass, but was quickly cooled by the smooth sauce.
The main course was a sharing event as plate after plate was put in front of us; lamb with spinach, duck curry, cow peas with butternut squash and runner beans with mustard and coconut. The spicing was delightful, just enough to be interesting, but not too much to make you reach for the water glass after each mouthful. Each dish was different yet they complemented each other and the meat was tender and succulent. Accompanied by plain rice and a variety of Naan bread we were all feeling very satisfied by the time the empty plates were cleared away.
But, we all still had room for dessert – none of your readymade pineapple and coconuts filled with ice cream at Mint & Mustard! Instead we were treated to a thick chunk of warm tandoori pineapple, a delicately scented crème brulee with cardamom and saffron and the specialty of the house – Chocomosa (a sweet, melted chocolate filled samosa) with caramelised banana and ice cream. Delicious! In fact this was the only point during the evening in which we were all quiet!
At just £27.00 per head for the tasting menu Mint & Mustard provides a good value quality dining experience. Coupled with friendly and unobtrusive service it really is a Cardiff must-visit restaurant.
For more information visit the Mint & Mustard website: - www.mintandmustard.com/
Or, www.coupleswithoutkids.co.uk
I have stayed in the Park Inn Cardiff City Centre hotel a few times and I recommend it. It is good value for the price you pay. A modern hotel right in the center of Cardiff it, it provides its guests with high quality food and very helpful staff.
Chapter is an arts centre in an old school which has films, exhibitions and a great bar/cafe with real ales, foreign ales and good food during the day and evening. Well worth the trip out from the city centre.
Market Road, Canton Cardiff CF5 1QE
www.chapter.org
Chapter is situated in Canton, behind Cowbridge Road East, between Llandaff Road and Market Road. It is easily accessible from the city centre with a car park at the rear of the building and by buses numbers 17, 18 + 31 every 5 minutes from Cardiff Central. Ring 029 20 304400 for more details.
It is genuine Morroccan cuisine. Newly opened and authentic. Meat , fish, or vegetarian options.
Very extensive menu and open all day, as there is a cafe as well.
Argana
Cowbridge Road,
Canton, Cardiff
Cafe Sereno is a small family owned business on Albany road that does great food, is fully licenced and has a fabulous beer garden. It’s open all day until 10pm and is ideal for a quick snack, coffee, pint or a romantic evening meal. It’s also available for bookings. They always have special offers and meal deals available which makes it very reasonably priced. Child friendly.
68 Albany road,
Roath,
Cardiff
CF24 3RS
Cafe Sereno does great breakfasts, dinners and snacks. I eat there a lot, and have yet to be disappointed. Great atmosphere, food and service. The main meals have a great Italian touch - the meatballs have to be tasted to be believed.
www.cafe-sereno.com
Albany Road
If you visit Cardiff in the UK I highly recommend Cardiff Castle. I visited the castle last week and it is excellent.
Zero degrees is a new micro brewery - good beer (especially the dark lager) and it also serves pizza and mussels and other good things. Right opposite the millennium stadium. Fantastic.
The Cafe Europa opposite the castle has enormous cheap veggie food and serves beer too. It has an eclectic mix of seating and reading material to keep you happy.
Cardiff central station, Westgate Street for Zero Degrees and Duke Street opposite the castle for Cafe Europa.
Chapter houses the city's only arthouse cinema, a great bar, a cafe (food is good though service can be slow when busy - allow plenty of time if you're eating before a show or film) and a theatre. It's an easy bus journey or a 15-20 minute walk from the centre of Cardiff.
A monthly market (held every first Sunday) which takes place either inside or outside the Milgi bar on City Road (an eclectric bar/bistro with video art, squashy sofas, chandeliers and a good line in cocktails and homemade pop).
It's a bit of a hotchpotch of jumble, young designers, live music, DJs, the odd random performance artist, maybe a BBQ, maybe some nice hot soup...
It's genuinely really great for hand printed tees and pumps, jewellery, second-hand books, vinyl, vintage-rummaging, people-watching, cake-eating, cocktail-drinking... And sometimes it happens at night too, which can be very, very good.
Milgi, 213 City Road, Cardiff, www.myspace.com/northcotelanemarket
Even though Cardiff has grown in the last few years it has managed to keep that small town feel, maybe it's the architecture and the green parks but everything is easy to get to, each part molds into each other, there is so much to explore.
There must be something in the air we breathe as well because Cardiff and Wales are winning everything!
Information on Cardiff can be found on various websites, my favourites are www.visitcardiff.com/ and www.cardiffontheweb.com
A vegetarian restaurant that also serves some meat dishes. Vegans also catered for. Great fresh food, menu changes every two weeks, puddings to die for. Really.
Atmosphere buzzy and fun. Great value with three courses for £13.50. Licensed with fine wines and welsh beers.
40 Clifton Street, Cardiff CF24 1LR
Tel: 029 2045 4999
www.canteenoncliftonstreet.com
Nearest station - Cardiff Central
Bus: No. 12 Cardiff Bus
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