Newport & Cardiff

[Traveling Kathy]

It says that on other cruiseline schedule sites, but why does it have Newport in brackets after Cardiff. All I can surmise is that they are docking in Newport(god knows where), but the stop is primarily for Cardiff. Still don't know why they're not docking in Cardiff though.

 

Also you'll be arriving a day late for the Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival which runs from 10-12 July down in the bay. It's a shame as it's normally excellent day out..............

Greetings from California! My friend and I have only one free day (sorry!) Friday, Aug. 7, 2009 to spend in Wales before we head to Harwich the next day to catch our ship. Can you give us some transportation tips on how to get to Cardiff from Kings Cross, London and back in one day? We're willing to get down there on our own or with a day tour out of London, if we could find one. Thanks for any help you can be!

[bigwally]

Now you're just showing off......;);)

 

LOL. You're right. I only typed it that way because that's the way it was Google maps. :D

[Chester & Brewster]

Greetings from California! My friend and I have only one free day (sorry!) Friday, Aug. 7, 2009 to spend in Wales before we head to Harwich the next day to catch our ship. Can you give us some transportation tips on how to get to Cardiff from Kings Cross, London and back in one day? We're willing to get down there on our own or with a day tour out of London, if we could find one. Thanks for any help you can be!

 

You will need to get to Paddington Railway station from Kings Cross. From Paddington there is a direct rail link to Cardiff.

It takes about 2 1/4 hours, so get an early start out of London if you want to spend a decent enough time in Cardiff.

Booking is cheaper in advance - try thetrainline.co.uk (although other sites are often cheaper -hi or miss really)

[syesmar]

A fellow passenger on our Roll Call heard back from the Port Authority who confirmed that there would be complimentary shuttles from Newport into Cardiff the day we are in Port.

 

(BTW: I had previously called HAL about this, and they told me there would not be transport for those not on official excursions; however, this shuttle is provided by the port/cities, so the info is accurate).

[syesmar]

Hi,

 

To those wondering 'where' we will be docking in Newport, the Port Authority confirmed to a fellow passenger that it will be at Alexandra Dock.

[newport dave]

Hi,

 

To those wondering 'where' we will be docking in Newport, the Port Authority confirmed to a fellow passenger that it will be at Alexandra Dock.

 

If you go to the following map reference on Google Earth, then that area is what I think Alexandra Docks are.

 

51" 33' 26.06" N

2" 58' 53.42" W

 

 

Also the shuttle into Cardiff should take around 30mins +/- 10mins depending on traffic, and depending if your driver has, what we call a lead foot!!!! or not.

[Traveling Kathy]

You will need to get to Paddington Railway station from Kings Cross. From Paddington there is a direct rail link to Cardiff.

It takes about 2 1/4 hours, so get an early start out of London if you want to spend a decent enough time in Cardiff.

Booking is cheaper in advance - try thetrainline.co.uk (although other sites are often cheaper -hi or miss really)

 

Thank you for the information. What "must see's" should we see for the short time we are there....approximately 6 hours?

[newport dave]

Thank you for the information. What "must see's" should we see for the short time we are there....approximately 6 hours?

 

It all depends what you are interested in, I'd say if you had the time to do the Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagans, but it would probably take up most of your six hours. I posted a long list of possible things to do in Cardiff and the surrounding area further up the thread, that would probably be the best place to start looking, you could always try the visitcardiff or visitwales websites which would give more info and links to other sites.......anyway enjoy yourself in europes youngest and most up and coming capital.

[syesmar]

Hi,

I have another question for the locals: how far of a walk is it from Alexandra Dock in Newport to the Train Station? How far of a drive, too?

 

THANKS!

[newport dave]

Hi,

I have another question for the locals: how far of a walk is it from Alexandra Dock in Newport to the Train Station? How far of a drive, too?

 

THANKS!

 

It's about 2-3 miles, so definately a taxi....

 

below is a link to a list of local taxis

 

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4ADBS_enGB317GB317&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=taxis+newport+uk&fb=1&split=1&gl=uk&view=text&ei=rA09SoGkINWZjAe9_N2BAg&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=more-results&cd=1&resnum=1

[Cazz]

Pity about the rain - but the passengers didnt seem too bothered, almost like they expected it?!! We do have lovely sunshine some days, honestly!

 

Link to the local news item: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8146553.stm

[syesmar]

We had a lovely day in the area. Thanks to those of you who gave advice in advance! You were right: there's a LOT to see in the area! For whatever reason, we could not leave the ship 'til 12:30ish (much later than the expected 11am) and no taxis were available upon departure, so our plans for Bath were scrapped; but we spent a very enjoyable, albeit wet, day at the Museum of Welsh Life in St. Fagan's. For we Americans, it was like the Williamsburg of Wales!! We were glad we spent our day at such a place.

 

For future passengers, plan to stay put in the area, as timings/dockings are unpredictable. If you want to go to the Museum of Welsh Life, take the 35 minute shuttle into Cardiff, and go to the bus terminal near the Rail Station. Go into the Bus Ticket office, and although they are not the company line that runs to St. Fagan's, they can tell you where to stand and wait for the bus (# 32 and 320 go there). The ticket was cheap, and it only took about 18-20 minutes to arrive (much cheaper than a taxi). We were there for 3 hours, but could have spent even more time!

 

(Do inquire in the gift shop about the last bus of the day . . . we were misinformed and had to walk uphill in the drenching rain to catch another one! Memories! :>)

 

Again, thanks to you locals who gave such valuable advice! You have a very friendly, pleasant homeland and we look forward to another visit!

[newport dave]

We had a lovely day in the area. Thanks to those of you who gave advice in advance! You were right: there's a LOT to see in the area! For whatever reason, we could not leave the ship 'til 12:30ish (much later than the expected 11am) and no taxis were available upon departure, so our plans for Bath were scrapped; but we spent a very enjoyable, albeit wet, day at the Museum of Welsh Life in St. Fagan's. For we Americans, it was like the Williamsburg of Wales!! We were glad we spent our day at such a place.

 

For future passengers, plan to stay put in the area, as timings/dockings are unpredictable. If you want to go to the Museum of Welsh Life, take the 35 minute shuttle into Cardiff, and go to the bus terminal near the Rail Station. Go into the Bus Ticket office, and although they are not the company line that runs to St. Fagan's, they can tell you where to stand and wait for the bus (# 32 and 320 go there). The ticket was cheap, and it only took about 18-20 minutes to arrive (much cheaper than a taxi). We were there for 3 hours, but could have spent even more time!

 

(Do inquire in the gift shop about the last bus of the day . . . we were misinformed and had to walk uphill in the drenching rain to catch another one! Memories! :>)

 

Again, thanks to you locals who gave such valuable advice! You have a very friendly, pleasant homeland and we look forward to another visit!

 

I'm glad you enjoyed St Fagans, it's my favourite attraction down here. Shame you didn't have better weather to enjoy it more. Hope you're back soon to try something else.

[Towncar T]

Cardiff City Centre

 

Cardiff Castle in the city centre - http://www.cardiffcastle.com/

 

National Museum and Gallery - http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/cardiff/

plus plenty of architecture in the Civic Area of Cardiff by the above Museum inc. Law Courts, Cardiff University, City Hall.

 

Bute Park (next to castle) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bute_Park

 

Cardiff HOHO Bus ( operates from outside the castle) - http://www.partner.viator.com/en/2672/tours/Europe/Cardiff-City-Hop-on-Hop-off-Tour/d6-2065CWL

 

Wales Millennium Stadium - http://www.millenniumstadium.com/197_211.php

 

 

Cardiff Bay, where you can find the

 

Wales Millennium Centre (spectacular modern building) - http://www.wmc.org.uk/,

 

Senedd (Welsh Assmebly, pronounced Seneth)(again another spectacular modern building) - http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home.htm ,

 

Norwegian Church Arts Centre - http://members.lycos.co.uk/NorwegianChurch2/Cardiff.html

 

Techniquest - http://www.techniquest.org/start/

plus loads of restaurants and bars.

 

 

Outskirts of Cardiff

 

National Museum of Welsh Life (my favourite dayout in Cardiff) (will need taxi to reach) - http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans/

 

Llandaff Cathedral - http://www.llandaffcathedral.org.uk/

 

The following sites list the above plus extra stuff in the area and further afield - http://www.cardifflife.net/cardiffthingstodo.html

http://www.walesinstyle.com/things_to_do_in_cardiff.aspx

http://www.thingstodo.net/cardiff/cardiff-places-of-interest/

http://wales-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/things_to_do_in_cardiff

 

 

Newport

 

Tredegar House Stately Home - http://www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=thingstosee.tredegarhouse

 

Fourteen Locks - http://www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=thingstosee.tredegarhouse

 

Newport Wetlands Reserve - http://www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=thingstosee.naturereserves

 

Caerleon (site of Roman remains) - http://www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=caerleon.homepage

 

 

Outside of Newport

 

Blaenavon World Heritage Site - http://www.world-heritage-blaenavon.org.uk/

 

Don't forget Celtic Manor - home of the 2010 Ryder Cup. Right there in Newport!:)

[newport dave]

Don't forget Celtic Manor - home of the 2010 Ryder Cup. Right there in Newport!:)

 

You mean Colditz with a golf course................

[Towncar T]

You mean Colditz with a golf course................

 

I guess you're not a golfer then?? Not even Sherdley Park?? LOL!;)

 

And I think Celtic Manor has TWO courses now.:)

[newport dave]

I guess you're not a golfer then?? Not even Sherdley Park?? LOL!;)

 

And I think Celtic Manor has TWO courses now.:)

 

I haven't been there, since I was a kid over 20 years ago!!!!!!:eek::eek:

 

Yes it has two courses, don't know if you've ever seen it. It looks like an arcitectural monstrosity looming over the M4 as you pass Newport.

[Towncar T]

I haven't been there, since I was a kid over 20 years ago!!!!!!:eek::eek:

 

Yes it has two courses, don't know if you've ever seen it. It looks like an arcitectural monstrosity looming over the M4 as you pass Newport.

 

Yes I've seen it many times. I went there in 2001 to watch the Welsh Open as a guest. I'm due to play the Ryder Cup Twenty Ten course next month. In actual fact I think there are 3 courses. Twenty Ten, Montgomerie and the Old Roman Road course. I agree that the place is somewhat prominent, but there's no doubting that the guy who built it has done a lot for the area.:)