Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
It's connected to Cardiff Bay by the freshwater lake formed by the construction of the bar-
rage and it now sports a busy marina on the lakefront.
Sights & Activities
Penarth Pavilion
(
www.penarthpavilion.co.uk
;
Penarth Pier)
Penarth's rock-strewn shoreline may not be particularly
attractive, but it is the closest beach to Cardiff. In 1894 it was graced with that icon of the
Victorian seaside, a pier. An elegant art deco pavilion followed in 1927, but it inevitably
went into decline and for decades it was left to decay. By the time you're reading this, a
major restoration will have taken place and the pavilion should have reopened, complete
with a brand-new gallery, marine history exhibition, cinema, cafe and shops.
ARTS CENTRE
Alexandra Gardens
This pretty Edwardian-era park slopes from Penarth's bustling town centre down to the
esplanade. Its formal gardens are filled with topiary and colourful flowerbeds.
PARK
Ffotogallery
( 029-2034 1667;
www.ffotogallery.org
;
Plymouth Rd; 11am-5pm Tue-Sat)
Also known as the
Turner House Gallery, this red-brick building near the train station hosts edgy photograph-
ic, video and multimedia exhibitions, and runs summer workshops where kids can learn
stuff such as printmaking and pinhole photography. It's at its busiest during the month-
long Diffusion international photography festival in May.
GALLERY
Waverley Excursions
( 0845 130 4647;
www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk
;
adult/child from £23/12)
In June the Waverley, the
world's last seagoing paddle steamer, departs from Penarth Pier for trips across the Bristol
Channel to Holm Island, Clevedon, Weston-super-Mare, Minehead, Ilfracombe and Lundy
Island.
CRUISE
Eating
Fig Tree
WELSH
££
