Friday Fun: Cardiff, 2005
I talked a bit about Cardiff on Wednesday, and I mentioned how I had visited there in 2005. So, I thought it would be fun if today I shared some pictures of that trip with you. My visit to the UK was only brief (about 10 days), and I took my two oldest girls with me. The first series of the rebooted Doctor Who had aired earlier in the year, and since my brother lives in Pontypridd, just outside of Cardiff, we had to take a trip into Cardiff to shop, and see the Doctor Who sites:
On the left there’s “Torchwood Tower” (as it’s now known thanks to Doctor Who and spin-off show Torchwood), with the TARDIS parked outside from the season 1 episode “Boom Town.” On the right, there are my daughters standing in front of the tower. Water flows down the glass front; it’s a neat effect.
On the left, Hendrik’s department store, where Rose Tyler worked in the first episode of season 1, “Rose.” On the right, Howell’s, the department store that played Hendrik’s. It was a stellar performance. Shame it wasn’t available for the BAFTAs.
The Autons attack a London shopping center in that same episode, “Rose,” (left)… except the shopping center is actually Queen’s Arcade in Cardiff (right)!
This is a picture looking out from Cardiff Bay:
Writer Roald Dahl was born in Cardiff, and in 2002, the area around the Bay was renamed Roald Dahl Plass in honor of him. Here’s the commemorative plaque, written in English with a Welsh translation beneath:
And finally, for all you castle lovers, here’s a picture of Cardiff Castle, which is located smack in the middle of town:
I hope you enjoyed these pictures. And if anyone from the Cardiff Tourist Board is reading, you can pay my commission in Amazon Gift Cards. Have a great Friday!
WOW! What a beautiful place! You must have had such a nice father-daughters trip 🙂 I’ve only ever been to London, but I would love to return to the UK and spend a lot more time there. I’d definitely go to Wales, and I’ve always wanted to see Glastonbury.
We were actually in the UK to visit my dad who was terminally ill, so it was a bitter-sweet trip. It was nice to be able to take my daughters to places I remember from my childhood. And visiting Cardiff was definitely a highlight. When people talk about visiting the UK, I rarely hear them say “I really want to visit Wales,” which is a shame. It’s such a beautiful country, and the people are uber-friendly. I hope you get to go. 🙂
I really need to get myself to Wales sometime. It looks and sounds beautiful. It’s kind of funny, because all of the names I’ve compiled for future spawn are all Welsh. None of the seriously unpronounceable names, though. 🙂 I still have to see Ireland too, and spend more time in England, so I think another trip to that neck of the woods may be in order.
It *is*, Jaime, and so worth the trip. It’s a shame you didn’t manage to go there on your recent UK visit–but I quite understand. You were already packing a lot into a short time. Next time, Wales and Ireland. In fact, you could probably take a boat from Wales to S. Ireland, make your way up to N. Ireland, then catch a boat to Scotland and go back down through England. That would be cool! There, I’ve planned your next UK tour for you! Can we come with you? 😀
You visited the Rift! 😀
I’d love to go visit Cardiff, maybe some day. 🙂
We did see the rift!! 😀
I know it would be a bit of a trek for you from the Highlands, but it’s worth it. I hope you can do it some day–and post pictures. 🙂
It looks great! I have to admit I have never watched Doctor Who (yes I know :D) but I´d visit Cardiff just based on your pictures…And Roald Dahl was born there? One more reason to go! Thanks for sharing Colin 😀
You’re welcome, Elodie! And if I might encourage your Doctor Who viewing–yes, it’s sci-fi, but it is the most accessible sci-fi for non-sci-fi people. I’m determined to make Who fans out of you and Jaime! 😉
Thank you for leaving me the link to this post! I’m still not jealous that you’ve been to Doctor Who city (as it should be nicknamed), despite these pictures. 😉 I will one day do a Doctor Who trip too, and hopefully these places are easy to find. Especially the department store that should have won a BAFTA.
I did have my brother as a tour guide–but Torchwood tower is pretty easy to find. Just follow signs to Cardiff Bay, or ask one of the locals how to get to “Torchwood Tower”! 🙂 As you see, these pictures are from 2005, which was when the new series started. I expect there’s a lot more to see in and around Cardiff–or Whoville 😉 –now. 🙂