{"id":7577,"date":"2017-06-26T23:35:38","date_gmt":"2017-06-26T23:35:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/?p=7577"},"modified":"2018-08-14T10:48:15","modified_gmt":"2018-08-14T10:48:15","slug":"self-drive-in-uk-cardiff-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/2017\/06\/self-drive-in-uk-cardiff-wales\/","title":{"rendered":"Self Drive in UK : Cardiff in Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bath to Cardiff City<\/strong><\/p>\n

From Bath to Cardiff only need slightly one hour plus, but we were lost in Bath and GPS has brought us to some really countryside road, really narrow. \u00a0I believe the road is only for horses so we wasted one hour in Bath to get to another decent road.<\/p>\n

Severn Bridge<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a beautiful motorway suspension bridge called Severn Bridge, once we saw the bridge, we knew we are not far from Cardiff. There is a toll to pay, GBP 6.7 for a sedan car. \u00a0The bridge is very long and you would enjoy the architecture of the bridge when crossing it.<\/p>\n

\"Severn<\/a><\/p>\n

Cardiff City<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cardiff is the capital of Wales, about 300 km from London. And the major tourist attraction is the Cardiff Castle which is located in the city. \u00a0Our first destination is to Cardiff Castle. \u00a0And getting a car park in the city is not easy. This time we parked our rental car a bit far from the city as most spaces are full around city area. \u00a0We walked for about 20 mins to reach the Castle.<\/p>\n

Walking to the direction of the Cardiff Castle, enjoy the beautiful houses along the road.<\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

Cardiff Castle<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

Finally reached Cardiff Castle and we tried to find the entrance which is located at the busy main road. \u00a0You can choose to stay in Holiday Inn which is only opposite the Castle, that is where we choose to stay. \u00a0Holding tight to my hat as the wind was very strong that morning.<\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

We arrived at around 11 am and glad that it was a fine weather, at least no rain and a lot of sunshine. \u00a0The weather was warmer especially in the noon. \u00a0Not very long queue and not very crowded in the castle as it was a weekday.<\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

The main range seen from the gardens<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

Cardiff Castle is one of Wales’ leading heritage attraction of 2,000 years of history. \u00a0Once you paid for your tickets, you also get your an audio guide.<\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

Castle Apartments<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

We spent about 2 hours in the castle, exploring interior and exterior of the castle. \u00a0It is huge. \u00a0Below pictures show the castle apartments with a series of Victorian Gothic rooms which is also the highlight of the Castle.<\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

You can appreciate the intricate murals painted on the walls and ceiling, stained glass windows and wooden carving. You would see a lot a of knight armor as you entered the hall, but don’t worry, they won’t move.<\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

The little door behind me is the exit of the castle apartment. \u00a0Entrance and exit are separate way. \u00a0No additional fees to pay to visit the castle apartment, it is included in entrance ticket. \u00a0As the castle apartment is Cardiff Castle highlight, don’t miss out this important site, quite many to explore in the Castle Apartment.<\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

The Clock Tower<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

The Clock Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Cardiff, cost additional GBP 4.25 per person in addition to the castle admission ticket.<\/p>\n

The Norman Keep<\/strong><\/p>\n

The original castle was built in the late 11th century by Norman invaders on top of a 3rd-century Roman fort.<\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

The Norman Keep is also known as a ‘shell’ keep because its outer walls provided a shell for smaller buildings within it. I was lucky to have a running shoes to walk around the castle. Castle is big and there is a lot of walking, always have a comfy shoes! We climbed roughly 50 stone steps before reaching to the Keep entrance.<\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

Reaching the midway of viewing platform, still more to climb.<\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

You will be rewarded by panoramic view of the whole castle from the top. \u00a0The views from the open-air roof terrace of the castle and city skyline are simply breath-taking.<\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

More spiral and uneven steps above the castle top, quite challenging to climb up as the steps are quite small. \u00a0Only one person at a time. Not able to have both flow of the traffic so not sure how people can manage to get up and down during peak period.<\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

More view from the top.<\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

Roman Wall<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once you at the top of the castle you have a better view of the Roman Wall, built before the Norman invaded and took over the Castle. \u00a0Go up to the top, even the steps may look a bit challenging but I still see some elderly people who went up to the top!<\/p>\n

\"Roman<\/a><\/p>\n

Some announcement are made in Welsh so I believe a lot of people in Cardiff still speak Welsh. \u00a0It sounded totally different from English which I have no clue at all.
\n
\n<\/a>\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

This castle has a unique blend of different architectural styles, mostly Norman but still have some Roman parts to it, such as the Roman wall at the top of the castle.<\/p>\n

\"Cardiff<\/a><\/p>\n

Wartime Shelter\/DarkTunner<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Tunnel<\/a><\/p>\n

Things we covered in the Cardiff Castle:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Castle Apartment- Highlight<\/li>\n
  2. Wartime Shelter<\/li>\n
  3. Norman Keep<\/li>\n
  4. The Roman Wall<\/li>\n
  5. Castle Tower – we did not get in as we were too tired from climbing the steps.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Admission to Cardiff Castle<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n