Cardiff with kids!

kate2954

Hi - you can park in John Lewis car park near the arena for either £1 or £2 after 6pm. Restaurants around that area - Jamies, Pizza hut,Old Orleans, GBK , las iguanas, chiquites. Free day -ea you could park for free at Cardiff international pool(Bay area)- £12 for family ticket - flumes lazy river etc, ice skating , white water rafting(childrens sessions too ), Toys R us next door. Could go on to Red Dragon Centre (still Bay and free parking), and bowl/cinema if weather bad,then on to the heart of the Bay for Techniquest and pirate park on Barrage - you can always explore inside the ships and visitor centre too . I have never noticed any problems in Techniquest ? You can park in side streets for free or car park across from Techniquest is reasonable . All these venues have well known restaurants. You can exchnge tesco vouchers for Techniquest,prezzo,strada,bella italia,pizza express ,train tickets to Barry,Penarth,from suburbs if you have any .Incidently you dont need to pay the parking to attend St Fagans - you can park behind "The Plymouth Arms Pub "

kez_s

Brilliant - thank you!

We've just booked an additional night at the hotel, so that takes the pressure of travelling up the day we are going to the arena and we don't have to rush around Cardiff prior to!

Techniquest def does look something the kids would enjoy, just didn't want to go if half the stuff doesn't work because I read a few other comments saying the same thing on the tripadvisor! I'll have a look at Pirate Park and St Fagans!

I had a look at parking at St. Davids/John Lewis and it seems pretty cheap compared to a lot of places we've been too. The closer to the arena the better as we don't really know what time the event is going to finish!

I've got almost £200 in Tesco vouchers so don't mind using some of those and I still have a load of Tesco day out vouchers I converted when they were 5x the value, will see if they can be used as well, hadn't thought of that, so thanks!

Lots have mentioned Barry Island, we are going to be close to it, but everything I've read indicates that it basically shuts down over the autumn/winter! Is there anything to do there in November?

Think I'll hide the kids from Toys R Us! Think we are going to be well and truly hammered on merchandise at the arena!

joerugby

Barry Island funfair will be closed as will most of the shops, but you'll find some cafes and chippies open

Even when all is closed Barry has a fine beach with rockpools for the kids to play in - good fun if the weather is fine.

mazda6

If you enter St davids shopping centre from the arena and you enter straight into the food hall where you get your usual, yo sushi, tgi fridays, nandos, pizza express + a few more cant remember them all!

kez_s

Thank you, I thought that was the case but wanted to double check as there seems to be a lot of development taking place in that area, we live very close to the coast at the moment so whilst we might take a wander down there, I won't now plan a day for it!

chunkychocky

I took my 4 and 6 year olds to Techniquest in July and they had a lovely time. We probably spent half a day there and then walked along the bay and popped into the cafes etc there. There was only 1 of the dozens and dozens of things at Techniquest that was closed for maintenance and everything else worked fine.

joerugby

Not sure where you're staying but you might also consider the Roman museum at Caerleon expecially if it's half term when there are activities going on. Our grandchildren love it

kez_s

On the outskirts of Cardiff, so I'll take a look and see how far away it is!

Rachie_B

The museum is good for a wander esp if a wet day ,kids love the Dinosaurs etc ! and has a coffee shop

Parc Play is a short walk from the train / bus station ( or has parking )
and is a good indoor / outdoor play area : http://www.parcplay.com/