This weekend we visited Cardiff, the capital of Wales. It is a short hop across the Severn bridge from Bristol and we were able to catch a bus from Bristol to Newport and change for Cardiff.

We wanted to go to the RHS flower show which is held annually in Bute Park next to Cardiff Castle. The Royal Horticultural Society is a charity which was set up to encourage an interest in gardening.  Cardiff flower show is the first show of the season and is held in April This means that you have a chance to buy plants in time for the summer. It is smaller and less crowded than the more famous shows like Chelsea.

Cardiff 2019

I was disappointed that there was only room for a couple of show gardens. There were lots of trade stands and a wide variety of stalls selling different types of food. As there was not enough seating we bought fish and chips and had a picnic on the grass. Luckily the weather was warm and sunny.

Children’s competition

Each year the RHS holds a competition to encourage the next generation of gardeners. Local schools have the chance to design a garden in a wheelbarrow and we were able to vote for our favourites.   This year the theme was discovery.  There was also a children’s trail based on the book “The very hungry caterpillar” by Eric Carle.

We spent a long time in the flower marquees enjoying the scents and vibrant colours of the displays.  Keen gardeners could ask RHS experts questions as well as listen to talks by experts.

I especially liked the winning displays, The overall winner was a beautifully arranged display of succulents and the winning nursery displayed a  vast collection of different types of daffodils.  The daffodil being the national flower of Wales. I resisted buying anything but many people had very full shopping carts.  At the end of the show on Sunday growers sell plants more cheaply.

Cardiff for tourists

Cardiff attracts a lot of tourists.   Bute Park, where the show is held is right in the centre. From there you can catch the ferry along the River Taff to Cardiff bay and see the Doctor Who exhibition or catch the red hop on hop off tourist bus and see sights like the Welsh assembly or the millennium stadium home to Cardiff City football club.

The enormous Cardiff castle is by the side of the park. It is well worth a visit but we did not have time on Saturday. Entry to the souvenir shop is free so I was able to take a quick picture of the keep. If you want to find out more click here Cardiff castle

Cardiff museum

After admiring the displays in the flower show we went for coffee and a chance to sit down in the nearby Cardiff Museum and art gallery. Until the 6th of May they have a collection of Leonardo Da Vinci  Drawings owned by the Queen and loaned from her own collection. 144 drawings are on display at twelve venues around the country including Bristol museum. However, as my husband had already seen them we opted to look at their collection of French impressionist paintings including this impressive Renoir. Entry to the museum is free but they encourage donations and there is a small charge for special exhibitions like the Leonardo drawings.

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