Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay sits on the south waterfront of Cardiff, where the old coal-exporting docks known as Tiger Bay were redeveloped from the late 20th century. The pier and dockside retain warehouse forms such as the Pierhead Building and the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament building, which sits beside the water. Nearby the Wales Millennium Centre presents a copper-coloured façade with a large bilingual inscription across its front. Pierhead, the Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Techniquest and Mermaid Quay create a concentrated cultural and leisure quarter within the bay.

The Cardiff Bay Barrage spans the mouth of the bay and has altered tides to create a freshwater lake, with locks and a promenade used by walkers and cyclists. Boats move between the marina and the Bristol Channel through the basin and lock system while mudflats and wetlands at the north edge support birdlife. Routes along the waterfront connect to offices, apartments and public spaces, and regular events and markets use the quayside throughout the year.