• The Hayes - The meeting point is The Hayes, a central area in Cardiff city center, near the John Batchelor statue. Here, the tour begins with an introduction, background, and overview before exploring the city’s historic shopping arcades.
• Wyndham Arcade - After crossing The Hayes, the first arcade encountered is Wyndham Arcade. The tour delves into the origins, history, shops, and development of one of the city’s oldest covered shopping areas.
• Royal Arcade - Next is Royal Arcade, the oldest and possibly the busiest or most renowned arcade in the city. The tour examines the origins, history, shops, and evolution of this historic shopping area.
• Morgan Arcade - From Royal Arcade, the tour takes a short walk to Morgan Arcade, known for its distinctive architecture and one of the city’s most famous and notable shops.
• Cardiff Central Market - The tour then visits Cardiff Market, the city’s traditional shopping hub. Participants will learn about the market’s origins, evolution, and future, as well as its historical significance in previous centuries.
• Castle Quarter Arcade - Castle Arcade stands out for its unique shops, restaurants, balcony, chandeliers, and overall appearance. It offers some of the best photo opportunities in the city, resembling a Parisian arcade.
• Dominions Arcade - Moving from Castle St towards Queen St, the tour visits the city’s most underrated old shopping gallery. Although quieter at times, Dominions Arcade is a reminder of Cardiff’s early 20th-century economic prosperity.
• Queens Arcade - Queens Arcade is the most modern arcade in Cardiff city center, constructed in 1994. While not as glamorous as its counterparts, it remains noteworthy for its development, location, and occasional TV appearances.
• Duke St. Arcade - Returning to the Castle Quarter, Duke St Arcade overlooks Cardiff Castle. Despite not always being the busiest, it features unique and popular businesses, both past and present, along with beautiful architectural and artistic elements.
• High Street Arcade - The tour concludes by passing through Duke St Arcade into High St Arcade and onto the High Street, summarizing the history and vibrancy of the arcade and wrapping up the tour.

• Professional, experienced native English speaking guide

• Bottled water
• Tea and coffee
• Snacks
• Gratuities

Cardiff’s arcades are a hallmark of the contemporary city and contribute to the Welsh capital’s distinctiveness within the UK. They also represent the city’s industrial prominence, prosperity, and influence during the nineteenth century. Cardiff boasts the largest number and highest concentration of Victorian and Edwardian arcades in the UK, alongside one of the nation’s most vibrant city markets. These arcades are teeming with historic, unique, boutique, and independent shops, cafes, and stores. Embark on a two-hour journey through Cardiff’s shopping district to explore the city’s nineteenth-century rise, its industrial achievements and impact, the origin, development, and culture of the arcades, and their role in modern city life in the twenty-first century.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.