A Capital Day Out: A Stroll From Cardiff Castle to City Hall

Cardiff is a city where Roman fortifications, Norman conquests, and Victorian industrialists have all left their mark. On this walking tour, you'll discover how coal and maritime trade transformed a sleepy market town into Wales' vibrant capital. From medieval religious sites to grand civic buildings, you'll explore the landmarks that tell Cardiff's fascinating story of reinvention and prosperity.

The tour starts at Cardiff Castle, an extraordinary structure that began as a Roman fort before being transformed by the wealthy Bute family into a Gothic Victorian fantasy. You'll stroll past the whimsical Animal Wall with its stone creatures and continue to Westgate Street, where you'll learn how the River Taff was actually moved to make way for development. As you walk, you'll see how coal wealth shaped the city, from elaborate architectural details to the imposing Principality Stadium.

You'll explore Cardiff's historic market dating from 1886, pass St. John the Baptist Church with its impressive tower, and discover hidden architectural gems like the ornate Mahogany Room and the Venetian-inspired yellow building. The tour ends at Cardiff's magnificent Civic Centre, home to the Portland stone City Hall with its impressive dome topped by a protective dragon overlooking the Welsh capital.

On this 75-minute walking tour, you'll have a chance to:

• See how Cardiff Castle evolved from Roman fort to Norman stronghold to Victorian fantasy palace
• Discover why the River Taff was diverted by the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel
• Explore the Principality Stadium, which transformed from humble sports ground to world-class venue
• Visit Cardiff Market, site of both delicious Welsh cakes and the controversial hanging of Dic Penderyn
• Marvel at the impressive Welsh National War Memorial with its symbolic figures representing victory
• Learn how the Davies sisters used their coal fortune to amass one of Europe's finest Impressionist art collections
• See architectural details that reveal Cardiff's maritime heritage, from seashells to Neptune statues
• Walk through the elegant civic center with its Portland stone buildings, including City Hall and the National Museum

This leisurely stroll takes you from medieval defenses to modern landmarks, showing how Cardiff embraced its industrial wealth to create a capital city with both historic character and contemporary charm. Along the way, you'll gain insight into the remarkable families and historical events that shaped Wales' capital.