Cardiff Shopping Guide

Royal Arcade, Cardiff, Wales
Royal Arcade, Cardiff - © Colin Smith

The Cardiff Shopping guide looks at the various shopping facilities in the Welsh capital, Cardiff. In recent years the city of Cardiff has become a popular city and short breaks destination, assessable from across Wales and convenient to travel to from many areas of England Cardiff has become a favoured shopping destination helped by its fine choice of shopping offers something for a range of tastes and budgets.

Visitors are attracted by the range of attractions in Cardiff including Cardiff Castle, the Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Bay and the surrounding areas along with the scenic Welsh countryside located close by to the city. The shopping facilities in Cardiff are likely to appeal to shoppers; the city is regarded as having some of the best shopping facilities in the UK. There is plenty of shopping facilities to choose from for shoppers including shopping in the city centre and outlets located outside of Cardiff.


Shopping Facilities


The St David’s Shopping Centre is located in Cardiff city centre. Currently it is the largest shopping mall in Wales offering shoppers a choice of over 150 shops ranging that include John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, H Samuel, Watches of Switzerland, phone stores, sports stores and electrical stores. There are a wide category of stores that include women’s and men's fashion and clothing, footwear, accessories, toys and gifts, jewellery, health and beauty, electrical and stationary. There is a choice of around 25 restaurants and cafes for refreshments, food and snacks whilst shopping. Places to eat include Café Rouge, Costa Coffee, Jamie’s Italian, Ed’s Easy Diner, Yo Sushi, Pizza Express, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and more.

St David’s shopping centre is open 7 days a week, however individual store times vary.

Car parking is available at the shopping centre.

The closest train stations are Cardiff Street and Cardiff Queen Street stations, the shopping centre is a short walk from both train stations. There are number of bus services that serve central Cardiff with Cardiff Central Bus & Coach station located close by.


Capitol Shopping Centre is located on Queen Street in Cardiff city centre close by to Cardiff Queen Street train station. Shoppers can choose from approx 30 stores and services on offer, the shopping centre is anchored by H & M, other notable stores include Boots, Austin Reed, Jaeger, Tie Rack and Mac. There are a range of shops here cater for women's and men's clothing, accessories, beauty and hair, electrical's and eating and leisure.

The Capitol Shopping Centre is open 7 days a week, however individual stores may have varying opening hours.

The car parking facilities are available (chargeable) at the shopping centre.

The shopping centre is conveniently located within walking distance to both Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street train stations and Cardiff Central Bus & coach station.


Queens Arcade is a shopping centre located Queens Street in the heart of Cardiff adjacent to the St David’s Shopping Centre. The original architecture of the shopping mall was influenced by the famous historic shopping arcades that are still evident in Cardiff today. Shoppers can choose from just under 40 stores that are located over two floors, stores include New Look, Argos, Ryman, Whittard, Footlocker and Animal among others. Eateries include Millie’s Cookies and Café Mattia.

Queens Arcade is open 7 days a week; however opening hours for individual stores do vary.

For car drivers, there are parking facilities with street metered parking and a number of city centre car parks in Cardiff.

Queens Arcade is approx 8 to 10 minutes walk from Cardiff's main train stations, namely Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street stations. Cardiff Central Bus station is located 10 minutes walk away.


Cardiff is famous for its historic Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades. The arcades date back to 1858 for the Royal Arcade whilst the others date from the late 1800s to the early part of the 20th century. The arcades retain many of the original features ensuring the character and charm of the buildings are retained, a visit to the historic arcades is recommended for visitors offering a different experience to the modern purpose built shopping malls. Cardiff is known as the ‘city of arcades’ with six historic arcades namely Royal & Morgan Arcades, Wyndham Arcade, High Street Arcade, Duke Street Arcade and Castle Street Arcade. Inside the covered arcades shoppers with find a range of shops including craft and vintage stores, delis, cafes, delicatessens, souvenirs, textiles and much more. Cinemas, galleries and workshops have been added in recent years.


Queen Street is where shoppers will find Cardiff's main pedestrianised shopping street. Queen Street runs from the Capitol Shopping Centre in the east side to historic Cardiff Castle on the west side. There are some of the largest and best known names on the high street here including Marks & Spencer, River Island, Top Shop, Primark, Next, Dorothy Perkins, WH Smith, Office and many more. Shoppers will also see a number of musicians and street performers here including street dances, classical musicians and pavement art. When walking along Queen Street shoppers can look out for a number of pieces of art that are located here, a number of art works by noted Welsh sculptor Robert Thomas.


The Hayes is a road and commercial area in central Cardiff that in recent years has become pedestrianised making one of the leading shopping thoroughfares in the city. The area includes a number of impressive historic Victorian and Edwardian buildings on one side with the large St David’s shopping centre on the other side. There are a number of designer boutiques and shops here including Molton Brown, Hugo Boss and Kurt Geiger. There is a choice of coffee shops and restaurants that include Jamie’s Italian, shoppers can find entrances to two of the historic shopping arcades namely the Morgan and Royal Arcades that have entrances on The Hayes.


Mermaid Quay is located in Cardiff Bay a short distance from the city centre. There are a choice of shops and boutiques along with bars, cafes and restaurants some which overlook Cardiff Bay. Shoppers can come for retail therapy and some pampering with a choice of shops, eateries and services available. Opened back in 1999, Mermaid Quay has become a popular shopping destination home to a number of boutiques and sophisticated stores where shoppers can find fashions, accessories and a choice of gifts. There are a choice of eateries including Strada, Pizza Express, Bourget Burger Company, Subway, Café Rouge and more catering for a range of tastes. There are car parking facilities (chargeable) on site.


Cardiff Market is located on St Mary Street in central Cardiff, housed inside a historic Victorian building. Visitors can find a choice of products all housed under one glass roof, the historic market has been trading in Cardiff since the 18th century and has been at the current site for over a century, with a number of period features evident. There is an eclectic mix of products on offer at the market ranging from fishmongers, to sellers of fruit, vegetables and meat to cooked food and delicatessens, household goods and much more.


Riverside Farmers Market takes place on Sunday mornings located in the Taff Embankment in Cardiff. Shoppers can find a range of local food from local producers offering visitors the opportunity to see a real Welsh market with a choice of fresh locally sourced and produced foods available. The market is popular with locals and visitors alike. Other farmers markets include Rhiwbina Farmers' Market, Roath Market and Whitechurch Farmers’ Market.


Maps


Use the Shopping Search map to find the location of Cardiff's shopping facilities including malls 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 a great experience 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 at all times 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, helping you avoid being a victim of theft and helps lessen the chances of losing the bags.

If you are travelling by car ensure you park in designated car parks or official street parking. Carefully check over the rules & regulations to ensure you understand them correctly. 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.



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