Cardiff Bay, Cardiff (must see)

Cardiff Bay, located in Cardiff, is a transformed area that encapsulates both historical significance and modern rejuvenation. Formerly a tidal bay and estuary, it has been redeveloped into a 500-acre freshwater lake through the installation of the Cardiff Bay Barrage in 1999. This project, initiated by the UK Government, aimed to provide flood defense by impounding the rivers from the Severn Estuary and creating a permanent non-tidal lake, enhancing the area's accessibility and attractiveness.

The bay is positioned at the river mouth of the River Taff and Ely, surrounded by a 4.25 square mile redevelopment of previously derelict docklands, which shares its name with the bay. This redevelopment spans between Cardiff city center and Penarth, primarily within the communities of Butetown and Grangetown. The transformation of Cardiff Bay has been recognized by Cardiff Council as one of the UK's most successful regeneration projects.

Cardiff Bay now serves as a hub of Welsh culture and politics. It hosts several key attractions and institutions, including the Senedd Building, which houses the Welsh Parliament, the historical Pierhead Building, and Tŷ Hywel. Cultural landmarks like the Wales Millennium Centre and the Norwegian Church further highlight its significance. The presence of these devolved institutions has also led to Cardiff Bay becoming a metonym for Welsh devolved politics.

Furthermore, the area features the Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve, located along the northern edge of the lake. This reserve sits on what was once a salt marsh and now provides a habitat for diverse wildlife, adding an ecological dimension to the bay's appeal. The lake itself now allows 24-hour access to the sea through three locks, contrasting with its past when sea access was limited to just around the high tide.