Hidden Gems & Secret Spots in Cardiff

Last Updated on 25th July 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.

The capital of Wales is Cardiff, a charming coastal city that feels more like a big town when wandering through. Home to hidden gems and secret spots that are waiting to be uncovered, from animal-sculpted walls, beautiful gardens, to memorials honouring fictional characters! Here’s your guide to the top hidden gems & secret spots in Cardiff.

If you only have a short time in the Welsh capital, consider checking out our suggestions for how to spend one day in Cardiff.

Hidden gems of Cardiff

Animal Wall

The Animal Wall, or as it’s known in Welsh ‘Wal yr Anifeiliaid’ is a well-loved feature of Cardiff, a sculptured wall that depicts fifteen animals and sits along the Castle Quarter of the city centre.

When Cardiff castle was inherited by the 3rd Marquess of Bute (John Patrick Chrichton-Stuart) an extremely wealthy man, he decided the castle and grounds should be partly renovated and redesigned. This transformation project began in 1866, with the architect William Burges as the lead designer.

One of Burges’ designs is that of the Animal Wall, however, it was not built until 1890 (after he died in 1881). The original nine animal figures were sculptured by an artist named Thomas Nicholls, who was also Burges’ favourite sculptor! The animals sculpted include a hyena, a wolf, two baboons, a seal, a bear, a lioness, a lynx and two lions.

In 1922, the wall was moved 50 meters from its original position outside of Cardiff Castle to Bute Park, due to a road widening. In 1931 a further six sculptures were added, sculpted by Scottish sculptor Alexander Carrick. The six additional animals were a vulture, beaver, leopard, a pair of raccoons, a pelican and an anteater.

Ianto’s Shrine

One of the more unique hidden gems in the Welsh capital is a shrine dedicated to a television character, remembering Ianto Jones, who died saving the Earth during an episode of Torchwood.

For those who don’t know, Torchwood is a Sci-Fi television series where a team of alien hunters set up the ‘Torchwood Institute’ to deal with incidents involving extraterrestrial beings (it was a spin-off series of the well-known Doctor Who series).

Ianto Jones (played by Welsh actor Gareth David-Lloyd) was one of the beloved Torchwood team members who sadly died in the arms of his love Jack Harness (who by the way, is immortal) when he succumbed to the poison gas filling the air. Long story short, this tragic scene pulled at the heart strings clearly so much, that locals made a shrine to remember him by!

Kept and maintained by the locals, here you can spy images of Ianto’s scenes in Torchwood, as well as fan art, messages and plenty more. You’ll also see lots of Doctor Who related references, where fans have shown their respect and love for this fictional world.

Norwegian Church Arts Centre

This iconic Norwegian Church Arts Centre is a Cardiff treasure and it has quite the history behind it…

White-clad and wooden, the church was originally erected by the Norwegian Seamen’s Mission in 1868 as a sacred spot for the Norwegian sailors who resided in Cardiff Bay, going back and forth from the port to bring over Norwegian timber.

In 1916, the beloved children’s book author Roald Dahl was baptised here, his family frequented the church services often. In 1940 the church supported the sailors who couldn’t return home due to Norway being occupied by the Nazis.

By 1974, the church sadly closed and fell into decay, and in 1987 the church was dismantled by the Norwegian Preservation Trust. However, in 1991, a fundraiser to re-erect the church took place and the following year it was back!

Today, the Norwegian Church Arts Centre is a community hub where you can see exhibitions and art events in their unique gallery space and visit Norsk Café which sell a delicious range of freshly baked pastries.

Gorsedd Garden

Situated between the National Museum of Wales and the historic Park House, this beautiful green expanse is a tranquil haven in Cardiff. With shaded pathways that meander through beds of vibrant floral compositions, a water fountain and small garden monuments.

One of the more intriguing things to see within the park is the Gorsedd Stone Circle. This group of standing stones are arranged in a circular formation, with one lying flat in the middle acting as a platform. This spot forms an integral part of druidic ceremonies.

Gorsedd Garden feels a world away from city life and is especially popular with locals and tourists alike when the sun is beaming.

The Scott Antarctic Memorial Cardiff Bay

The Terra Nova Expedition, also known as the British Antarctic Expedition, was a journey to Antarctica which took place between 1910 to 1913. In search of various scientific and geographical answers and with the aim to be the first to reach the South Pole, a team of 5 men led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott ventured into the snowy depths.

However, weather conditions were far worse than anyone could have predicted and sadly, none of the team members survived the trek back.

The Terra Nova team arrived in Cardiff just five days before departing for the fateful venture. Stocking up on fuel (as Cardiff was a major coal port) they were also gifted cooking utensils by the Welsh Tin Plate Company of Llanelli and the local people raised funds to go towards their travels.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ‘Age of Antarctic Discovery’ a prize for a sculpture to be erected in Cardiff Bay was launched and the winner was Cardiff-based sculptor, Jonathan Williams. 

Williams has created a beautiful sculpture of Scott hauling South towards the Pole, the intricate white fragments mosaic together are reminiscent of the snow and there’s a sense of urgency and determination overall.

At night, the sculpture is now illuminated by lights that have been fitted so it can be seen at any point of the day.

Riverside Market

The ” Original Cardiff Farmers’ Market” the weekly Riverside Market takes place on Sundays from 10 AM – 2 PM. A bustling display of over a hundred farmers and small producers selling local foods and drinks, it is recognised as one of the key food attractions of Cardiff.

Named so because of its location on the bank of the River Taff, the Riverside Market has been ongoing since 1998. What started as a small community-led market by food enthusiasts has since flourished to be one of the UK’s leading farmers’ markets!

Enjoyed reading about Cardiff’s hidden gems & secret spots? Pin this article now, and read it again later: