It’s believed that Cardiffs earliest settlers were Neolithic people. They are thought to have made this their home around 6,000 BP. After this time, the Celtic British Tribe, Silures, occupied Cardiff, followed by the Romans and then, the Normans. At this stage a castle was built, on the site of a once Roman fort, with a town developing around it.

Cardiffs port became a Staple port during the Middle Ages. John Crichton-Stuart, 2nd Marquess of Bute, constructed Cardiffs important docks, during the 1800s. This led to the development of the, then, town becoming an important port and most populated area in Wales. King Edward VII officially titled Cardiff a city in 1905. From then on, and until now, important national institutions have been built here.  Cardiff was only declared the Capital City of Wales in 1955. 

Many people visit Cardiff for several different reasons. Some are visiting the Welsh Capital for sport, and others for its history or culture. There are also numerous attractions in Cardiff and the surrounding areas for all the family. In total it is visited by more than 12 million visitors a year and Cardiff has a status as one of UKs top 10 destinations.

Today, the City has a population of 328,000.  Cardiff is also one of the flattest cities in Britain, and developed as the world's largest coal port, mostly due to its close proximity and easy access to the coal fields of the south Wales valleys. It has a maritime climate-with a tendency to be cloudy, wet and windy in winter and sunny in summer. 

Cardiff was made a city in 1905 by King Edward VII, and was made capital of Wales fifty year later. Cardiff has seen immense development over the last number of years, among which you will find Cardiff Bay which contains the new Welsh Assembly Building and the Wales Millennium Centre arts complex.

The city itself also has many other interesting tourist attractions. The top things to visit in this city include the picturesque Bute Park with the River Taff running through it, Cardiff Bay with its many attractions, Cardiff Castle, the Millennium Centre home to arts groups such as the Welsh National Opera, the National Museum and Gallery of Wales with its famous art works, the Norwegian Church and its art gallery, Techniquest with its interactive science exhibits and the amazing Victorian Shopping Arcades.

For information on all the things to do in Cardiff, Visit: Things to do in Cardiff