Cardiff Bay Private Self-Guided Tour

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Recommended by 100% of reviewers

| Wales, Wales

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3 hours (approx.)

Mobile ticket

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Overview

Discover Cardiff Bay's dynamic history with our unique self-guided tour. Wander through landmark-rich routes, from the historic Pierhead Building to the modern Senedd, all narrated by Helen, an expert with a deep connection to the area. This tour stands out for its perfect blend of past and present, mixing historic insights with contemporary observations.

Immerse yourself in the transformation of Cardiff's iconic docklands, learn about its industrial roots, and see how it's evolved into a vibrant waterfront. Along the way, enjoy curated insider recommendations, uncovering the best of what Cardiff Bay offers.

Spanning 2.5 miles, this linear tour is an engaging, leisurely stroll around the Bay, filled with stories that bring the landscape to life. Ideal for independent explorers, it's a compelling journey through one of Cardiff's most fascinating areas, directly from your smartphone.

Note: Instructions for downloading our app and accessing the tour will be sent separately.

What's Included

Check "Before you go" section of email confirmation!
Map, directions, GPS route and stops of each tour
Helen will guide you through an audio guide (no computer-generated voice!)
3 weeks unlimited access to this Self-Guided Tour on the app
Audio guide, videos, pictures, recommendations and all the info you need

In-person Guide

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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Penarth
United Kingdom

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Cardiff Bay Trail
Cardiff CF10, UK

This is the end of the tour, you'll be free to wander around Cardiff Bay and its surroundings.

What To Expect

Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve

The Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve covers around 8 hectares of land to the north of the Bay. The reserve was created in response to the removal of the Taff-Ely Site of Special Scientific Interest, which was lost during the redevelopment of the bay.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

voco St. David's Cardiff, an IHG Hotel (Pass By)

The St David’s hotel is a major landmark in the bay. It was built as part of the redevelopment of the area and it can be seen from almost all locations within the bay

Mount Stuart Graving Docks

The docks were built by the Marquesses of Bute, whose ancestral home was Mount Stuart, on the Isle of Bute, in Scotland.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Techniquest (Pass By)

Established in 1986, Techniquest is the UK’s longest-established Science Discovery Centre.

Mermaid Quay (Pass By)

Mermaid Quay is a mixed land-use development on the waterfront that opened in 1999. It has over 30 restaurants, bars and cafés, a comedy club, a 5-screen boutique cinema and some shops.

Lower Boardwalk (Pass By)

The boardwalk runs beneath Mermaid Quay. To the western side is Ianto’s Shrine, which is a memorial to a man who never existed.

Roald Dahl Plass

Roald Dahl Plass was an old dockyard entrance so ships would have passed through beneath where the footbridge now stands

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Wales Millennium Centre (Pass By)

The building at the end of Roald Dahl Plass is the Wales Millennium Centre, which is the national arts centre for Wales, and home to eight cultural organisations including the Welsh National Opera and BBC NOW.

Pierhead Building (Pass By)

The impressive Grade I listed Pierhead Building was the headquarters of the Cardiff Railway Company.

Senedd (Pass By)

The Senedd is an iconic building that is home of the Welsh Parliament here in Cardiff Bay.

Norwegian Church Arts Centre

As with most British docks, Tiger Bay became a multi-cultural hub where migrants from all over the world mingled and formed communities.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Roath Basin

The bridge that you can see from where you’re standing lies over the entrance to Roath Basin and Roath Dock. Roath Basin is the lake that you can see immediately beyond the bridge, and the basin gives access to Roath Dock, which lies further beyond that.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cardiff Bay Barrage

You are now standing on the barrage that was constructed to maintain the water level in the bay. The inland waterway is kept aerated by 20km of pipes and 6,000 air diffusers that lie on the floor of the bay.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cardiff Bay Barrage

This area is the site of a permanent exhibition and viewing platform. There are usually some nice areas of mini wildflower meadow around this site too.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cardiff Bay Barrage Locks (Pass By)

At this site you will see locks and bridges, sluice gates and a fish pass. The locks keep the Bay at permanent high water. There is a control room, which you should see high up to the left as you approach lock number 1.

Harbour Wall Viewpoint (Pass By)

There are two harbour walls that protect the entrance to the locks, defending it from high tides and bad weather in the Bristol Channel. You are standing on the northern harbour wal

The Old Custom House (Pass By)

The area this side of the barrage is called Penarth. There are two imposing buildings on this site. The Marine building lies to the left and the Old Custom House lies to the right.

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Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Check "Before You Go" Section of your ticket!

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Cardiff Bay Private Self-Guided Tour?

A: This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Read more Apr 2025