Shopping in Cardiff
Being placed in the Top 10 Shopping Destinations in the UK, Cardiff offers a vast array of shops. Christmas shopping in Cardiff is always exciting, as well as hitting the Boxing Day sales. However, hitting the shops in Cardiff is fun throughout the year.
With large shopping centres, high street favourites, individual stores, and a thriving indoor market, Cardiff is the ideal destination for a shopping trip. The real highlight of Cardiff’s retail scene is the Victorian and Edwardian arcades, full of independent boutiques and cafes, worth a visit as architectural gems.
With over 180 shops, restaurants and cafes, St David’s is the place to be for shopping, dining, or entertainment. It is the largest shopping centre in Cardiff, and the majority of it is undercover. St David’s has put Cardiff city centre firmly on the map as one of the best retail hotspots in the UK.
Queen’s Arcade, situated in the heart of Cardiff’s vibrant city centre, and is next to St David’s. It is home to a fantastic selection of big-name brands and unique independent retailers. It is situated over two floors and leads to Queen Street.
Queen Street was once the jewel of Cardiff’s shopping crown, bristling with high street giants. Whilst some still remain there, like Next, Marks and Spencer, Zara and Topshop, it is now home to more independents and discount shopping.
At the end of Queen Street, you’ll find the Capitol Shopping Centre. The centre has a fantastic selection of stores for you to choose from. As well as a 24-hour gym and secure parking. Premiere Cinemas is also here. It is the best value cinema in the city. It is £3 for students and seniors, £4 per person and £14 for a family of four.
If you like your shopping or supporting local businesses, there are 7 unique Victorian and Edwardian arcades in Cardiff. With over 100 independent cafes, bars and shops right in the heart of the city centre, the arcades offer a truly unique shopping experience.
A little-known fact about Cardiff is that it has the biggest concentration of Victorian, Edwardian, and modern-day indoor shopping arcades in Britain. It's known as the City of Arcades. corridors wind through the centre of the Welsh capital, crammed with boutique shops, family-run cafes, independent bookstores, gelato bars, and hidden tea houses.
Cardiff Indoor Market is a unique shopping experience. Under the glass roof, you will find the lively market filled with local independent traders, from Welsh artisan coffee to street food, vintage clothing to second-hand records, and even a psychic. Cardiff Market has two shopping levels with a panoramic balcony wrapping around the interior walls.
There are two entrances to the market, one on Trinity Street and the other on High Street. The High Street entrance has the iconic H.Samuel clock, which has hung above the door since 1910. The current clock dates from 1963.
Starting at Cardiff Castle, High Street leading onto St Mary’s Street used to be busier after dark than during the day. It is packed with bars and nightclubs. However, after losing several chain restaurants, High Street has begun to thrive. It does now have more local, independent restaurants including Juniper Lounge, Potted Pig, Gin and Juice and Rum and Fizz.
In Cardiff, the stand-out offering for vintage bric-a-brac and curios can be found at Jacob’s Market. The four-floor, red-brick building can be located at the end of St Mary’s Street in the heart of the city. It is one of the oldest antique emporiums in Wales. It boasts more than 50 stalls selling second-hand and antique furniture, vintage clothes, books, military memorabilia, tribal art, coins, banknotes, stamps, and much more.
Once you’ve exhausted your antique hunting, there’s a café on the 1st floor to kick back and admire your new purchases. On the top floor is a contemporary art gallery and a roof terrace offering superb views over the Cardiff skyline.
Once a Victorian Pumping Station today it is an impressive Grade ll listed building, home to a friendly group of 45 plus independent traders all under one roof. The Pumping Station is on Penarth Road, a 10-minute drive from Future Inn Cardiff.
Opposite Cardiff City Football Club you will find Capital Shopping Park. Stores include M&S, Asda, Next, Costco, Outfit, Hobbycraft, Smyths, Mamas & Papas and Maplin; as well as DW Sports Fitness, Les Croupiers Casino, Dragon Court Chinese Restaurant, Greggs, Subway and Costa.
Bone Yard was founded in 2015 and is located on a large former industrial site in the Canton area of Cardiff. There are 10 shipping containers filled with artists, makers and creators plus Dusty Knuckle an award-winning cafe and pizzeria.
Riverside Market is the original Cardiff Farmers’ Market and can be found every Sunday opposite the Principality Stadium. The market is widely recognised as one of the key food attractions in the Welsh capital, for local residents and visitors alike. The Market follows the bank of the River Taff.
A short walk from Future Inn Cardiff is Mermaid Quay. There are gorgeous boutiques where you’ll find traditional Welsh cakes, handmade Welsh gifts, shoes and accessories. In a location steeped in history, Mermaid Quay’s distinctive architecture is inspired by its maritime location and rich heritage – featuring decking, towers, balconies, terraces, colonnades and bridges.
There’s always plenty going on. With a great programme of events and entertainment on-site plus the location is right in the middle of all the other Cardiff Bay attractions including Techniquest, Roald Dahl Plass and the Wales Millennium Centre.
Located in Cardiff Bay, our Cardiff hotel boasts 197, spacious, air-conditioned, en-suite bedrooms offering all the facilities and services you would expect of a quality 4-star hotel at affordable prices.
Book direct for the best rates guaranteed, with rooms from £67 per room per night.
Book your stay online or with our Reservations Team on 02920 487111 or reservations.cardiff@futureinns.co.uk.
For additional benefits, you can join the Future Inns hotel loyalty program. For every £1 you spend on accommodation, you earn 1 reward point. Plus, get double points when you dine in the restaurant. Points can then be used to upgrade your bedroom to a suite or a free night's stay. You also get a complimentary drink voucher to redeem when you dine in the restaurant and a member's discount rate. It's also completely free to join!
Thomas Restaurant is ideal for fuelling up before or after your retail therapy. You can expect homemade food using local produce. Every day the team serve breakfast, bottomless brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, evening a-la-carte dining and traditional roasts on Sunday. A large selection of drinks is also available, including 2 for £15 cocktails. Under 5’s eat for free with a paying adult.
Bookings can be made on 02920 487111 or thomas@futureinns.co.uk. Alternatively, you can book online:
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