There's more to Cardiff than a stadium

13 April 2012

There has been nothing but praise for the Millennium Stadium since it became the preferred stage for football's showpiece finals. At last season's FA Cup Final between Liverpool and Arsenal, the atmosphere crackled, showcasing the stadium's ability to host the biggest club tournament in the world.

The Millennium Stadium has created a unique alternative to Wembley.

Admittedly, it took a while to iron out the well-documented traffic problems, with many fans left seething trying to get out on to the nearby M4.

But the police and organisers joined forces to engineer a solution whereby opposing supporters enter the city from different sides, thus minimising traffic disruption and keeping rival fans drinking at opposite ends of the city.

Cardiff boasts a staggering number of boozers. The street running parallel to the ground is littered with watering holes, some of the pubs letting fans spill out on to the pavement.

There are 70 licensed premises in a quarter-of-a-mile radius in the heart of the city centre - hostelries which can cater for up to 60,000 people.

Traditional pubs serving the potent local brew, Brains, nestle alongside trendy cafe bars and theme pubs.

For those who are forced to count the pennies, a trip to the Gatekeeper pub outside the ground will prove a godsend, with its cheap ale and food.

And if you are still thirsty after all that there are a staggering 24 bars inside the stadium itself.

Cardiff can also lay claim to a colourful array of attractions which have sprung up following the city's redevelopment.

Notably, the old docks area has undergone extensive regeneration to produce a stunning waterfront location.

Cardiff Bay is Europe's biggest regeneration project, as well as one of the UK's fastest-growing tourist destinations.

A total of £2billion has been spent creating a 200-acre freshwater lake and eight miles of prime waterfront with countless restaurants, bars and other attractions, which offer a splash of culture and a sideshow away from the hectic city centre on match days.

For those of a nervous disposition, the Bay's Techniquest centre, with its problem-solving apparatus, may help calm pre-match anxieties.

Then there is the Sports Cafe, with its plethora of TV screens beaming coverage of sports from around the globe.

Cardiff is spoilt for architectural delights - but it is the Castle in the city centre which steals the limelight, attracting vast crowds.

Cardiff is everything you would expect from a cosmopolitan capital, with a blend of ancient and modern and a stadium worthy of staging any major event.

Arsenal have sampled the delights already, while for Chelsea it will be an experience to remember - providing they avoid the Cup Final Blues.

BET NOW ON THE FA CUP FINAL

MORE ABOUT

Bars And Pubs

There's more to Cardiff than a stadium

Read More