How to spend a day in Roath, Cardiff’s most charming neighbourhood

Our new microguides sequence is impressed by the gradual journey movement, encouraging travellers to sit back out their tempo and take a deep dive into one express neighbourhood in a well-loved metropolis. Considerably than a whirlwind itinerary which targets to hit up every must-see attraction, these compact, close-up guides encourage you to zone in, take your time and really uncover like a neighborhood.

I’m pretty constructive I dwell in Roath. Unsure, because of Roath’s boundaries are significantly obscure, having shifted over centuries and nearly vanished because of the council’s map tinkering. Nevertheless this place – (very) roughly contained between the city’s Roath Park and Newport Freeway – isn’t any wishy-washy no man’s land. Affluent nevertheless edgy, it’s residence to an ever-increasing number of unbiased retailers and cafés, a inventive, eco-conscious group and considered one of many metropolis’s loveliest parks.

The world is value a wander for its Victorian and Edwardian construction alone – nevertheless the movement centres alongside its three eclectic extreme streets. There’s Wellfield Freeway, with its well-to-do village vibe; Albany Freeway, acknowledged for its rooster joints and charity retailers; and multicultural Metropolis Freeway, the Welsh capital’s reply to London’s Kilburn Extreme Freeway – a heady mixture of shisha lounges, barbershops and Middle Jap consuming locations.

Listed under are merely just a few of Roath’s biggest bits.

Do

Wander throughout the Victorian-era park

Roath Park is the neighbourhood’s inexperienced coronary coronary heart. Peruse distinctive vegetation inside the manicured gardens (the monkey puzzle tree is my favourite), stroll throughout the lake with a espresso in hand – dodging geese as you go – or hire a rowing boat for a swan’s eye view of the white clock tower, a Cardiff icon.

Practise your downward canine

Physiospace’s lovely fairy-light-strewn studio is an enchanting spot for stretching points out at a yoga class. Fairly Icelandic instructor Osk teaches hatha flows which could be applicable for all ranges and class sizes are refreshingly small. Drop-ins value £12 – e guide by the MindBody app.

Catch a gift in an earlier church

Pull up a pew – truly – to have a look at a gig at The Gate, a grade II-listed Presbyterian church which has been lovingly reworked into an arts and group centre. The intimate venue generally hosts art work exhibitions, comedy and a plethora of pop, of us and Welsh-language bands.

Get suave

In 2021 Lark, Design, Make moved up the road to the Cathays area (Roath’s student-filled neighbour), however it absolutely deserves an honourable level out. Their healthful workshops, from crochet and macramé to cleansing cleaning soap making and lino printing, mirror Roath’s inventive, can-do spirit.

Eat

Anna Loka

Consuming plant-based isn’t any disadvantage in Roath. Vegan favourite Anna Loka serves up comforting plates of goodness in its boho restaurant and yard nook: spectacular full breakfasts, pimped-out burgers, nourishing Buddha bowls and a indicate seitan Sunday roast.

Scaramantica

There’s no shortage of first charge pizzerias in Cardiff, nevertheless Scaramantica is up there with the easiest – churning out skinny, chewy-crusted classics from its Stefano Ferrara pizza oven along with swish cocktails. It’s my little slice of la dolce vita inside the ’Diff.

Associates in Knead

The queue down the street says all of it: gluttons for gluten adore Associates in Knead. The sourdough and Biscoff “dirty buns” are divine, nevertheless the true showstoppers are the brioche doughnuts, which can be found an ever-changing line-up of flavours much like cinnamon crunch, strawberry milkshake and pistachio.

Shaam Nights

For a Syrian feast, head to Shaam Nights on Metropolis Freeway. The in-your-face interiors – all gilded tiling and glitzy hanging lanterns – delight newcomers, however it absolutely’s the mouthwatering shawarma, falafel and stuffed vine leaves that protect them coming once more.

Drink

Sibling

Get your caffeine restore at Sibling, a minimalist café and wine bar with an Antipodean actually really feel, housed in a former brothel. Brother-and-sister workers Will and Georgie take their espresso critically, sharing tasting notes as they pour your batch brew and baking moreish cookies to match the beans’ flavour profiles.

Glory Outlets

Half deli, half upmarket cafe – suppose cheeseboards, oysters and caviar crisps – Glory Outlets is the brainchild of Shaun Houcke, the oenophile behind Cardiff’s LGBT-friendly pop-up Gays Who Wine. I can contemplate no cosier place to get tiddly on Bolly and Beaujolais.

Waterloo Tea

Know your rooibos out of your Yunnan black? Whether or not or not you desire a high-quality free leaf or a builder’s brew, there’s a rarefied cuppa for you at Waterloo Tea. There are two retailers to pick out from in Roath – one on Wellfield Freeway and the distinctive, overlooking leafy Waterloo Gardens.

Retailer

Ripple

A female-owned, crowdfunding success story, Ripple is Cardiff’s first not-for-profit, zero-waste retailer. And I am obsessed. Along with kitchen cupboard requirements and snacks, they stock eco-friendly toiletries, sustainable pattern, green-themed books and plastic-free gadgets and greeting taking part in playing cards. Good for lining the cupboards of your Airbnb.

Cardiff Made

A souvenir- or gift-shopping paradise, indie arts hub Cardiff Made celebrates and helps native makers and artists. It hosts frequent gallery exhibitions along with the eternal retailer, stuffed to the brim with vibrant prints and handcrafted textiles, jewellery and ceramics.

Penny Lane Traditional

I would merely whereas away a day in Penny Lane Traditional, current in a bit arcade off Wellfield Freeway. It’s a treasure trove for sustainable, one-off pattern finds to put on down on the town. Who doesn’t love fabulous faux-fur coats, retro radiograms and chunky-knit sweaters from the Seventies?

Maintain

Sandringham Residence

This charming Edwardian residence, obtainable for rent on Airbnb, overlooks Roath Mill Gardens, the place I spend an inordinate time period smiling at totally different of us’s canine. The balcony is a significant spot for people (or pet) watching.

The Crofts Lodge

Within the occasion you’re looking out for a spotless room, good-value pub grub and an ample beer yard, organize camp at The Crofts Lodge. Delicate sleeper? Convey earplugs – affable locals can protect the bar vigorous on the weekends.