The Hayes, Cardiff

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The Hayes, Cardiff

The Hayes, Cardiff

In the center of Cardiff are three shopping streets: Queen Street, Saint Mary Street and the Hayes. The Hayes is almost entirely pedestrianized. Going southward to the east end of the City Center one encounters the Hayes Island Snack Bar. Doesn't sound like much, but wait, this snack bar has a history and a reputation.

The snack bar was originally built as a parcel depot for Cardiff Corporation Tramways in 1911. Horse trams were used in the city until 1903 when Cardiff switched to electric trams. The depot kiosk was closed in 1942 and reopened in 1948 as a snack bar. It is the oldest snack bar in Wales. It is "a rare survivor of Cardiff's tramway system."

At the north end of the Hayes is the Old Library. From 1882 until 1988 it was known as the Cardiff Free Library, Museum and Schools for Science and Art. The new permanent Cardiff Central Library sits at the opposite end of the Hayes.

Victorian glass covered shopping arcades are especially peculiar to Cardiff. The Royal Arcade and the Morgan Arcade each have entrances on the Hayes. The Hayes shopping arcades and shops have undergone massive renovations.

The renovated Hayes is memorialized in an 82 foot high stainless steel sculpture called "Alliance." The sculpture is a stainless steel enameled arrow column.

On Hayes, one can find some of the best shops and restaurants in the city.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cardiff. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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The Hayes on Map

Sight Name: The Hayes
Sight Location: Cardiff, Wales (See walking tours in Cardiff)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Cardiff, Wales

Create Your Own Walk in Cardiff

Create Your Own Walk in Cardiff

Creating your own self-guided walk in Cardiff is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cardiff Introduction Walking Tour

Cardiff Introduction Walking Tour

"Cardiff" came from the Welsh word "Caer-Taff" which means "Fort on the river Taff." Cardiff cannot be separated from the Cardiff Castle nor the castle from the city. People had been living in the neighborhood of Cardiff on the banks of the Taff when the Romans arrived and built a fort in 55 AD.

The fortification was strategically located. It was possible to...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Shopping Arcades Tour

Shopping Arcades Tour

A city of castles and culture, Cardiff has plenty to entertain those who travel with the shopping bags in tow. The Welsh capital has long been reputed as the "City of Arcades", due to the highest concentration of Victorian, Edwardian and contemporary indoor shopping arcades in the UK. Back in the day, these fascinating, covered pedestrian thoroughfares were designed to enable locals and...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles