Cardiff Bay
January 19th, 2007
Cardiff Bay has altered beyond recognition. It was one of the world’s largest coal exporting port to a modern sport and leisure complex; it is also Europe’s largest waterfront development and it has a wealth of leisure activities available both on and off the water.
The bay has been turned into a vast freshwater lake with the introduction of a barrage. A number of boat tours operate from Mermaid Quay, which allow you to gain an understanding of the history and fauna of this exciting area. Cardiff Waterbus has introduced a new taxi service which operates throughout the year from the Bay to the city centre and Penarth.
The Bay is home to a number of attractions such as Techniquest Science Discovery Centre - ideal for all the family, Craft in the Bay, The Welsh Assembly at the Pierhead, Butetown History and Arts Centre, Goleulong 2000 Lightship, the Norwegian Church Arts Centre and the brand new Wales Millennium Centre, a stunning and international arts centre. The Atlantic Wharf Leisure Village provides further options for family entertainment.
The harbour at Cardiff experiences one of the world’s greatest tidal ranges: up to 14m. This has meant that at low tide, it has been inaccessible for up to 14 hours a day. A barrage will eliminate the effect of the tide, which has acted as an inhibitor to development, releasing the potential of the capital city’s greatest asset - its waterfront.
The construction of the barrage is one of the largest engineering projects currently underway in Europe. Completed in 1999, it has created a 500 acre freshwater lake with 8 miles of waterfront and it is hoped it will stimulate the future development of the Bay as a tourist and leisure destination, as well as accelerating the inward investment potential of South Wales as a region.
The Cardiff Bay Development Corporation was set up in April 1987 to regenerate the 1,100 hectares of old derelict docklands of Cardiff and Penarth. It was part of the British Governments Urban Development Programme to regenerate particularly deprived and run-down areas of British inner cities.
Entry Filed under: Places to visit in Glamorgan, Cities, towns & villages
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