Compare Hotels Near Cardiff City Hall, Castle

Cardiff City Hall is one of the city centre’s most impressive landmarks, standing proudly at its heart and within walking distance of many other well-known sights, such as the Millennium Stadium, National Museum Wales and Gallery of Wales. The ideal place to stay to be near the City Hall and other attraction is in a budget, mid-range or luxury hotel in Cardiff city centre.

The hall was opened in 1906, built from Portland stone, in what is known as the English Renaissance style. Although it now no longer functions in its original purpose, it is home to a magnificent art collection along with conference and event facilities. It stands proudly on one side of Cathays Park along with other early 20th century civic buildings and the central park, Alexandra Gardens. It is the city’s fifth town hall, with construction beginning just as Cardiff was awarded a city charter in 1905.

The City Hall’s most distinctive feature is its clock tower, reaching up 194 feet above the ground, with its four gilded faces pointing to all corners of the city. In 1969, to commemorate the investiture of Prince Charles as the Prince of Wales, a rectangular pool with fountains was constructed in front of the building’s entrance portico.

Once inside, visitors are struck by the large, impressive, high-ceilinged entrance hall, with its pair of sweeping staircases. On the first floor is the stunning Marble Hall, adorned with pillars and statues, with fine works of art hanging on the walls. The hall, in common with the rest of the City Hall, can boast the original superb stained-glass windows. The Marble Hall is extremely popular as an elegant venue for unforgettable weddings, as well as many other functions, dinners and events. Along from here is the former council chamber, which has been carefully preserved. It is now used for a variety of commercial purposes, such as televised debates, press briefings and is also popular as a wedding ceremony venue.

The City Hall can offer 15 syndicate rooms, ideal for seminars, meetings, side rooms or organisers’ offices. These are all equipped with direct dial telephone points and networked computer links.

The City Hall is also home to an impressive collection of artworks, which are displayed around the building. As the building was completed, Mrs Annie Fulton of Penarth, widow of the former Mayor of Cardiff Andrew Fulton, made what became to be known as the Fulton Bequest. In her will, Mrs Fulton left some important paintings as well as a quarter of her estate to the City of Cardiff, to be used for the decoration of City Hall, which has allowed many of these works to remain on public display.

Cardiff’s recent resurgence as a modern cultural centre has arrived on the back of its traditional building and cultural history. Cardiff City Hall is a great example of the past on which the city stands. A stay in a Cardiff city centre hotel offers easy access to the best that the area has to offer, both ancient and modern.