Royal Arcade, Cardiff - © Colin Smith
The Cardiff Shopping guide takes a look at the various shopping facilities available in the capital of Wales. Cardiff has a range of facilities to offer shoppers and visitors to the city, ranging from malls to high street shopping to the historic Edwardian and Victorian shopping arcades in the city centre. In recent years Cardiff has undergone modernisation and redevelopment work this is evident in the new facilities and infrastructure in the city including new shopping facilities.
Cardiff offers shoppers with well known brands and high street chains along with smaller independent shops and boutiques ensuring shoppers are offered a varied choice of shops and shopping experiences. Cardiff is a popular short breaks destination in the UK offering visitors a range of attractions, it offers shoppers an enjoyable place in which they can indulge in their passion.
Shopping Facilities
The Capitol Shopping Centre is a centrally located shopping mall in the heart of the city centre. There are a range of top retailers present here catering for fashion and clothing, lifestyle, to gifts and accessories. There are a number of cafes where shoppers can enjoy some refreshments and snacks whilst shopping.
The Capitol shopping centre is open 7 days a week, however individual store times vary.
Car parking is available at the shopping centre, there are discounted rates for evening parking.
The closest train station is Queen Street a short walk from the Capitol Centre, Cardiff Central station is also located close by. The local bus network offers services to Cardiff city centre where the mall is located.
St David’s Shopping is located in the city centre next to the Queen's Arcade. There are over 60 stores here that include well known department stores Debenhams, Marks & Spencer and Bhs. There are host of other retailers catering for a range of shoppers including stores for fashion and clothing, accessories & gifts, toys, electrical, jewellery and health and beauty.
The St David’s centre is also expanding and with together with the new St David’s 2 development situated next to it, form a large shopping and leisure complex due for completion by the end of 2009. There are plans for new stores including John Lewis, residential developments meaning shoppers will have more choice with close to 200 shops to choose from.
St David’s is open 7 days a week, however individual stores may have varying opening hours.
Car parking facilities are available in the various car parks in the city centre most of which are a short walk from the St David’s centre.
The closest train station is Queen Street Station it is between 5 and 10 minutes walk away. Whilst the Cardiff Central station is a bit further away requiring a 10 minute walk. Cardiff Bus & Coach station is located close to Cardiff Central train station, from here visitors can get local buses taking them to St David’s and other city destinations.
The Queens Arcade is located in Queen Street in the centre of Cardiff. There are more than 35 shops here spread over two floors right. Shoppers will find retailers specialising in a range of goods including clothing and fashion, footwear, toys and games, accessories and gifts, furniture and jewellery.
Queens Arcade is open 7 days a week, however opening hours for individual stores do vary.
For car drivers, parking is provided in one of the numerous car parks in the city centre and metered street parking bays.
The closest train station is Queen Street station which is between 5 and 10 minutes walk from the arcade. The other station close b is Cardiff central station located approx 10 minutes walk away. Buses can be found from the Cardiff Bus & Coach station near Cardiff Central station.
Mermaid Quay offers a wonderful location for shoppers, located by the waterfront at Cardiff Bay over two floors, there are a range of shops, restaurants and cafes to enjoy. The Mermaid Quay is designed with its location in mind with maritime architecture very much in evidence. There are a range of shops including Austin Reed, this stylish location offers a range of upmarket independent shops and boutiques, making it a favourite for those that follow fashion. There are a number of restaurants where you can find everything from Welsh cuisine to worldwide cuisine that includes Turkish, French, Italian and fusion.
Mermaid Quay is open 7 days a week, individual shops may have varying opening times.
For car drivers there is car parking on site at the Mermaid Quay.
For public transport, Cardiff Buses run regularly services from Cardiff city centre to the Bay.
Cardiff is well known for its shopping on its famous Arcades, these are covered shopping arcades that house a number of shops mainly smaller shops including many independent and specialist retailers. They offer a good alternative to the larger malls especially for shoppers wishing to see independent shops. One such arcade is the Castle Arcade housed in a wonderful Grade all listed building, it contains a number of independent stores catering for designer fashion. Other arcades include the Royal Arcade and the Morgan Arcadefeature a number of interesting independent shops selling clothing and fashion, gifts, accessories and more. There are a number of cafes shoppers can try including cafes that specialise in organic food and drink.
Cardiff Market is located in the city centre. The market is also known as Cardiff Central Market, it is housed in historic Victorian building. This historic market has been trading from the 1700s and has been based at the current site for over 100 years. Shoppers can look out for a bargain where on a vast array of goods ranging from fresh food including meat, fish, eggs and vegetables. There are stalls for gifts and accessories along with stalls catering for kitchen and gardening. Shoppers can find a great selection of goods and services all in one place.
The city centre location makes it easy to reach, there entrances at St. Mary Street and Trinity Street in Cardiff city centre.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 8am to 5.30pm
Cardiff city centre has a number of car parks within close vicinity to the market, the market is close to the Central bus station and to the Cardiff Central train station.
Cardiff Farmers Markets offer shoppers the chance to purchase fresh food from local producers at competitive prices. There are two markets here these are:
Roath Market takes places on Keppoch Street, there are a number of producers selling meat, fish, bread and cakes, fruit & vegetables, cheese and flower.
Opening times:
Each Saturday: 09.30 to 1pm.
The Roath market is approx 15 to 20 minutes away from Cardiff city centre,
Local bus services from the city centre go to Albany Road, a short walk from the market. Cathays Station & Cardiff Queen Street Station are both within 10 minutes walk of the market.
The Riverside Market is located at Fitzhamon Embankment opposite the famous Millennium Stadium, here producers also supply shoppers with a range of locally produced fruit, vegetables and other foods.
Opening Times:
Each Sunday: 10.00am to 2pm.
Car parking is provided in a number of city centre car parks close by and metered parking bays. Cardiff Central station is approx 5 minutes walk away, while the central bus station is also a 5 minute walk away.
Maps
Use the Shopping Search map to find the location of Cardiff's shopping malls, arcades and markets. The blue markers on the map show the shopping facilities mentioned above. You can also use the local search for Restaurants, Bars, Hotels, Coffee Shops, Tourist Attractions and more. There is also a place finder and phonebook to help your search. To view click on the Cardiff Shopping search link below and ensure your browser is pop up enabled: Cardiff Shopping Map
Tips & Other Considerations
There are variations on the hours shopping centres and individual shops are open for depending on the shops and the particular day of the week.
Visitors will hopefully enjoy their time when shopping in Cardiff, however you should be aware of crowds, your surroundings and follow common sense measures to ensure your safety and that of your valuables.
Be alert and aware of your belongings especially your wallet/purse and valuables and ensure they are hidden away from public view. If you have a bag try to use a shoulder bag with a strong strap, that is put across your shoulder not on your shoulder making it more difficult for anyone to snatch your bag.
Do not leave your bags/shopping bags unattended. This helps to prevent losing the bags or being a victim of theft.
If you are travelling by car ensure you park in designated car parks or official street parking. Carefully check over the parking rules & regulations to ensure you understand them fully. If you are not certain of the rules it is safer not to park there, beware of possible fines and other sanctions that can be used if you park illegally or not in accordance with the rules.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
