Cardiff is one of the top ten shopping destinations in Britain and when you visit, you will see why. It’s a vibrant, bustling city and offers all the big high street names that you’d expect to find across over one million square feet. It was recently voted the 6th best shopping destination in the UK and with such a mix of shops, there is something for everyone. There is an interesting mixture of old and new, with Edwardian and Victorian arcades and ultra modern shopping centres.
St David’s Shopping Centre has major retailers including the largest John Lewis in Wales. You’ll also find Marks and Spencer and Debenhams. Cardiff Market has been in business since the 1700’s and can be found in the Grand Victoria Arcades. This is where the market has been for the last two hundred years and has a stunning Victorian glass roof. Here you will find butchers, fishmongers and bakeries. There are six of these arcades offering a unique shopping experience that provides an alternative to the high street. These arcades are home to vintage clothing shops, craft stores and coffee shops.
In the Morgan Arcade you will find Spillers Records that first began trading back in 1894 and boasts the title of oldest record shop in the world! Most of the shopping area in Cardiff is pedestrianised and so shopping can be a pleasurable experience with plenty of space. For gifts that exude all things Welsh then head to Wondrously Welsh, an independent store celebrating everything related to Wales. To have a business website worth celebrating then think about Cardiff website designers. For more information, visit http://ambercouch.co.uk/
Christmas brings the city to life with the open-air Cardiff Christmas Market on The Hayes. There are wooden beach cabins decorated in festive fayre selling a massive range of arts and crafts. A perfect place to pick up a unique handmade gift. The market has over 80 of these quaint wooden stalls and feature the work of over 200 artists and craftspeople. Food and alcohol can also be purchased. It takes months for the organisers to hand pick the very finest traders and a wide variety of businesses are represented so as to keep the market fresh and interesting throughout the market’s duration. Stalls include artwork, candles, ceramics, clothing, toys, glasswork, jewellery, leather goods, textiles and woodwork. So there should be something for everyone.
Heading towards Cardiff Bay, there are more independent stores, restaurants and bars and the waterfront, known as Mermaid Quay has become a real cultural hotspot. The restaurants here have some fantastic views across the Bay and make a perfect venue for relaxing and fine dining after a hard day’s retail therapy.
Around 18 million visitors come to Cardiff every year and the shopping certainly helps to draw people into the centre and St David’s Centre is one of the largest in Britain. When you’re tired of the shops, or at least your bank balance is, Cardiff has much more to offer. The National Museum and Cardiff Castle are both within walking distance of the centre and are definitely worth a visit before you head home. You’ll be sure to return though as one visit is definitely not enough!
