Cardiff Shopping
Cardiff is a shopper's paradise. Designer brands, major chains and dozens of independent shops and boutiques in the city's network of Victorian and Edwardian arcades have helped Cardiff build a reputation as one of the UK's top shopping destinations.
Queen Street
Cardiff's main shopping thoroughfare is on the pedestrianised Queen Street, where you'll find popular stores including Office, Fopp, Qube and Zara. At the Eastern end of Queen Street you'll also find the Capitol Shopping Centre, home to designer brand stores such as Benetton, Karen Millen and Virgin Megastore
St David's Shopping Centre
At the heart of Cardiff's lively shopping district, St. David's Shopping Centre has something for everyone. With over 60 leading stores including Bhs, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Boots, Pravins, Republic, Watches of Switzerland, Jones Bootmaker and Timberland, it's bursting with the very latest in high street and designer fashion, jewellery, cosmetics, toys and even chocolate! All open seven days a week, with late night Thursdays. St. David's also offers an exciting calendar of events throughout the year, including plenty of fun for the kids.
Arcades
Cardiff's arcades still retain many of their Victorian and Edwardian features and are now home to dozens of unique stores and cafes. All manner of Welsh gifts can be found in these arcades, from handmade Welsh textiles to Welsh love spoons and rugby shirts. Visit Morgan and Castle Arcades for the latest designer fashions in independent stores such as Woodenwood or Chessmen, or rest your feet and enjoy a meal in cafes such as vegetarian café Crumbs, or The Plan, which specializes in organic and FairTrade food and drink.
The Hayes
The Hayes is currently undergoing a face lift and new stores, including a flagship Borders book store, will be opening in 2007. The Hayes is also home to Howell's department store, where you'll be able to find everything from the latest fashions and electronic gadgets to Welsh wine and whiskey in the large deli-section; and keep an eye out for the TARDIS, as Howell's is often used as a filming location for the BBC Wales television series 'Doctor Who'.