Croeso i Fae Caerdydd ac Eisteddfod yr Urdd. Welcome to Cardiff Bay and the Urdd Youth Eisteddfod. This slide show will take you on a tour of the area where the Eisteddfod is being held.
The Packet was one of the pubs popular with sailors who sailed in and out of Caerdydd (Cardiff) through the five huge docks which were operational by 1907. People from 45 different countries came to work here. The Packet was where Shirley Bassey began her singing career.
Morglawdd Caerdydd (the Cardiff Barrage) was built to bring new life to the Bae Caerdydd area. The Morglawdd has created a huge lake which holds two million litres of fresh water. Special locks allow boats and fish to move in and out of the lake. The only way for visitors to visit the docks now is by roadtrain to the Morglawdd.
Bae Caerdydd is now home to the Senedd – the Welsh Assembly Debating Chamber, Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru (the Wales Millennium Centre) and dozens of other bodies and businesses.
The science centre, Techniquest is always popular with children and families. Canolfan y Ddraig Goch (the Red Dragon Centre) is also always popular with families. This is where the Dr Who exhibition is housed.
Yr Eglwys Norwyaidd (the Norwegian Church) was built in 1868 but was moved to its present location recently. It was built as a place of worship for Norwegian sailors bringing timber into Caerdydd for use in the mines. When the docks were at their busiest, 73,000 a year came to the church. Author Roald Dahl attended the church.
Cychod (boats) are plentiful on the Bay. The Bws Dŵr (Waterbus) takes visitors from Mermaid Quay to the Morglawdd in Penarth. A commentary often points out features of interest on the way. Trips are also available up Afon Taf (River Taff) and Afon Elai (River Ely) and out through the Morglawdd to the Bristol Channel.
If you don’t mind getting wet, trips on the cychod cyflym (fast boats) are also available.
A new feature soon to be introduced to Bae Caerdydd is the Balŵn (Balloon). This will take up to 30 people 400 feet into the air giving views of Ynys Echni (Flat Holm), Ynys Rhonech (Steep Holm), y Cymoedd (the Valleys) and even Bristol. It will have wheelchair access.
The main attraction 24 – 30 May, however, will be Eisteddfod yr Urdd which will be held in the main open-air arena built on one of the old docks.
