Cardiff Bay has improved so much due to the investment it’s received, I remember as a teenager the start of the investment programme, when I left Wales I think they had started ‘knocking it down’, and on trips home over the thirteen years I was away it was the most amazing transformation. Admittedly, those years saw me appreciating Cardiff Bay for the emergence of its bars and restaurants.
Now, as a family, it is great for the coffee shops and restaurants…
But the scenery, the fresh air, this is what makes a difference to the family.
A year or so ago, I took Squeaks on the Carousel for the first time. She screamed the whole time. Now, she refused to share, she insisted she was going to ride her own horse. My heart was in my mouth the whole time. She loved every minute.
We love all the buildings- the Wales Millennium Centre, the Pierhead Building, the Senedd (the home of the Welsh Assembly), the Norwegian Church (or Roald Dahl’s Church as I always remember it from childhood?!)… there is more than enough to keep the eye interested.
We had hoped whilst we were there to take a boat ride. There are lots of different boat trips available, from sea safaris to water taxis. The problem for us is of course three children, two adults… and a double buggy. In fairness, we could have managed, but we were really enjoyed the day and didn’t want to spoil that. I hope as the boys become more confident walkers we might attempt a walking trip!
The other benefits now of Cardiff Bay are that you can walk across the barrage to Penarth, and there’s a park along the way. As well as the barrage, there’s also a land train which can ensure you see the entirety of Cardiff Bay.
The one thing, I couldn’t not include, is that the Doctor Who Experience has now opened. We saw so many people carrying all their goodies from the newest tourist attraction. And whilst I would love to visit, the children are not interested… and neither is the other half!
This suggestion for a fantastic day out was provided by Debbie – Mum to three, wife to a Yorkshire man, we moved to South Wales in 2011. It was my home for 20 years, and now I’m back with an entourage of under 4’s and a big kid. I spend my free time trying to show that our surroundings really do compete with the beauty of the Pennines. You can find my blog on family life, parenting and living at www.johnsonbabies.co.uk