2015 Rugby World Cup City Guide Cardiff

Sep152015
2015 Rugby World Cup City Guide Cardiff

With just days to go before kick-off, read our 2015 Rugby World Cup guide for the vibrant city of Cardiff. Whether you're looking for information on Cardiff hotels, bars and restaurants or transport, our helpful guide has you covered.

Situated in the heart of Cardiff and just 5 minutes walk from Cardiff’s central rail station, Millennium Stadium is the home of Welsh Rugby. Purpose-built for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, Millennium is a compact stadium featuring a retractable roof and an impressive capacity for 74,000 fans.

For those wanting to explore its impressive grounds, stadium tours are available and feature experienced tour guides and the chance to visit usually off-limits areas of the stadium. Famous for its energetic atmosphere, Millennium Stadium is sure to be buzzing on match day regardless of whether Wales are playing.

Millennium Stadium will host six pool games and two quarter-finals during the 2015 Rugby World Cup:

  • Saturday, September 19: Ireland vs Canada (Pool D)
  • Sunday, September 20: Wales vs Uruguay (Pool A)
  • Wednesday, September 23: Australia vs Fiji (Pool A)
  • Thursday, October 1: Wales vs Fiji (Pool A)
  • Friday, October 2: New Zealand vs Georgia (Pool C)
  • Sunday, October 11: France vs Ireland (Pool D)
  • Saturday, October 17: Quarter-Final 1 (Winner Pool C vs Runner-Up Pool D)
  • Sunday, October 18: Quarter-Final 3 (Winner Pool D vs Runner-Up Pool C)

The Welsh capital is always bustling on match days, and many of the best Cardiff bars and pubs are located just a stone’s throw from Millennium Stadium.

A pre-game drink will help you save money, The City Arms is located just outside the stadium and is one of the most iconic Cardiff pubs. Featuring a great selection of Welsh ales, The City Arms is a long-time favourite of local sports fans.

No matter who’s playing, The Prince of Wales on St Mary Street always packs a huge crowd and is one of the liveliest bars in Cardiff. The Prince of Wales will be projecting games onto its giant screens throughout the 2015 Rugby World Cup and is an exciting spot to watch a live game.
For the true Cardiff rugby experience, fans should head to The Old Arcade on Church Street which features walls covered in rugby memorabilia. Probably the most rugby-mad of all the pubs in Cardiff, it has a huge of beers and ales and is a must-visit for any die-hard rugby fan.

Opposite the gates of Cardiff Castle, The Goat Major is another popular alehouse that always draws a passionate rugby crowd. The Goat Major is also perfect for a pre-game meal, serving a selection of superb home-made pies.

For those looking for venues to watch games on a big screen, both O’Neill’s and Walkabout on St Mary Street will be projecting matches live throughout the Rugby World Cup.

With its compact city centre and accessible public transport options, getting around Cardiff is a breeze on foot, road and rail. Get the wind in your hair.

Millennium Stadium is just five minutes walk from Cardiff Central Station so for visitors staying in the Central City walking is definitely the best bet on busy game days.

Cardiff’s metro rail system connects Cardiff’s northern, southern and western suburbs to the city centre from its Central and Queen Street hubs. Visitors should be aware that Cardiff Central Station is expected to be very busy after each match and a queuing system will be in operation. Visitors should book tickets in advance and be prepared for long waits, especially for matches with 8pm kick-offs and should plan their travel times accordingly.

The local bus network is an affordable Cardiff Transport option and operates routes throughout the city and will be providing extra services on match days. Millennium Stadium is a short walk from local bus stops and 15 minutes from the National Express Coach terminal at Sophia Gardens

For visitors looking for Rugby World Cup accommodation, Cardiff offers a huge choice of options for any budget. Cardiff hotels such as Future Inn Cardiff offer a selection of affordable Rugby World Cup 2015 accommodation and are within easy walking distance of Millennium Stadium. Accommodation in Cardiff is always in high demand around matches so it’s recommended that visitors book early to avoid disappointment.

With over 75 restaurants located in the city centre, visitors to the Welsh capital will find a restaurant to suit any taste. Here’s our pick of a few of the best restaurants in Cardiff.

If you’re looking for cheap places to eat in Cardiff, visitors should try the New York Deli on High Street Arcade. Just celebrating its 25th anniversary, the New York Deli serves a delicious selection of hoagies and club sandwiches that have made it a local favourite.

Another of the best budget-friendly Cardiff restaurants is Got Beef, a burger joint famous for its 6oz Welsh black beef patties. Located at 83 Whitchurch Road, Got Beef have a huge selection of great food for under £10.

Hidden in a former bank vault underneath Zizzi on High Street, The Potted Pig creates unique British Cuisine from the finest locally sourced ingredients. The place does get busy so booking in advance is recommended.

The Future Inn Cardiff Bay hotel is home to the Thomas Bar & Restaurant which serves British food with a contemporary Welsh flavour. Offering a relaxed contemporary environment, Thomas Bar & Restaurant offers fresh, locally sourced cuisine all day every day.

Situated in the trendy suburb of Pontcanna, Bully’s seats guests in a charming dining room filled with an eclectic mix of gilded mirrors and other bric-a-brac. Offering a variety of French cuisine produced with seasonal Welsh produce, Bully’s has been a local favourite for over 15 years.

One of the most renowned Cardiff Bay restaurants is the award-winning Moksh, which specialises in Goan-inspired Indian cuisine. Moksh’s exciting menu features dishes ranging from nouvelle fare such as the delicious duck lemongrass coriander to traditional favourites like Pahadi Tikka.

A rich history and a thriving cosmopolitan culture mean it’s never hard for visitors to find fun things to do in Cardiff.

With a history dating back over 2000 years, Cardiff Castle is one of the top Cardiff attractions and the city’s most visible landmark. Choose from guided tours of spectacular Victorian gothic apartments designed by William Burges or climb to the top of the 12th Century Norman Keep for spectacular views of the city.

Located in Cardiff Bay, the award-winning Wales Millennium Centre has quickly become one of the top attractions in Cardiff. Housing a range of theatres, galleries, restaurants, bars and shops, the Millennium Centre is the perfect place to indulge in some of the Welsh capital's vibrant culture.

Situated in the heart of Cardiff’s elegant civic centre, the National Museum Wales is one of the best free Cardiff tourist attractions. The National Museum houses Wales’s national archaeology, art, geology and natural history collections, as well as major touring and temporary exhibitions.

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