Cardiff Bay

Walk title

Cardiff Bay to Cardiff Barrage

Before you leave

Download the Wales Coast Path app at home to experience the area in Augmented Reality. This walk is suitable for prams and buggies

Start/finish

Welsh Assembly Senedd Building to Cardiff Barrage.  The panel location can be found on Google Maps.

Distance

Walk route:  2 km / 1 mile

Extended walk: 2km / 1 mile from Cardiff Barrage to Penarth town

Tricia Cottnam, Wales Coast Path Officer highlight

"This easily accessible walk takes you right out onto the Barrage. You’ll see various boats leaving or entering the Bay via the lock gates. The fabulous views from the Barrage stretch out towards the islands of Flatholm and Steepholm". 

Route information

Starting out from the iconic Welsh Assembly’s Senedd building, the Wales Coast Path winds along the waterfront on its way towards the sea.

You’ll pass the white-painted Norwegian Church where Cardiff-born writer Roald Dahl was christened.  Younger visitors can burn off excess energy with the playground, skate park and an outdoor gym along the way.

Near the famous Roald Dahl crocodile bench look out for the Wales Coast Path panel to experience Augmented Reality using your mobile device (phone or tablet).  Discover what 1920’s life was like in Cardiff Bay, one of the largest dock systems in the world at that time. 

Stretching more than 1 km across the mouth of Cardiff Bay, the barrage commands fantastic views over the Bristol Channel and back across the city.

Want to go further?

When you reach the other side of the Barrage either return on the same path or to go further head towards Penarth town centre and towards the picturesque Victorian pier and pebble beach for a well-deserved ice-cream.  Either return by foot or public transport.

Along the way

This walk takes you through Cardiff’s historic docks with fun things for the younger visitors like Techniquest (Welsh science and discovery centre) and fun outdoor places to play.

• There are toilets, car parks, bus stops and plenty of places to eat and drink in both Cardiff bay and Penarth.
• The You Well website has information about hiring a bike to explore this vibrant capital city on wheels.
• Visit Cardiff website has details about boat trips offerring the perfect way to see Cardiff Bay from the water and also to nearby Flatholm Island and Penarth Pier Pavilion.

Plan your visit

Go to our Plan your visit page which has useful information on public transport and an interactive map to help you plan your visit.

Download the itinerary

Download Cardiff Bay - Family walks with a difference itinerary with a map of the route and the extended route to explore more of the beautiful Welsh coastline.

Watch our preview trailor to see the app's features