All the best things to do in Pontcanna, Cardiff's most stylish neighbourhood

P ontcanna, located close to Cardiff city centre, has blossomed into a stylish neighbourhood with much to offer families and young professionals. Smart, cool with a distinct Welsh feel, it's home to leafy high streets with flourishing independent shops, cafes and restaurants. It's a great place to taste local produce, from treats in the park to Michelin-starred tasting menus – Pontcanna claims Cardiff's first.
The neighbourhood's popularity dates to the Victorian period, when Sophia, widow of the second Marquess of Bute, financed the creation of Sophia Gardens. Large villas sprang up along the central Cathedral Road as well as the side streets, which in turn became an illustrious Edwardian area.
These houses are now gold dust – no surprise, given their backdrop of sweeping green spaces and quirky neighbourhood gems all within a 30-minute walk to Cardiff Central train station.
Here's our guide to experience the best of Pontcanna.
Read more: North Wales is the perfect gateway to developing a hiking habit Do Browse the local farmer's market
The Saturday market hosts local vendors and supports sustainable practices (Pontcanna Market)
Every Saturday, the courtyard on King's Road becomes lively with vendors selling fresh local produce. Pick up some sourdough and mouth-watering pastries, organic fruit and vegetables, and Welsh cheese. Each month, the sellers are joined by Pontcanna Vintage Market, where you can pick up a one-off item. Catch a foreign film at Chapter Art Centre
Free art exhibitions, independent film screenings and up-and-coming stand-up comedy, Chapter Art Centre is the alternative creative outlet in Pontcanna. With events including Archipelago Movement classes and a workshop exploring the ritual of communal singing as a survival mechanism, this is not your everyday community venue. The events programme and convivial cafe breathe life into the red-brick former Edwardian school building. Spend time in historic parks
Pristine and atmospheric, the neighbourhood's parks – like Llandaff Fields and Pontcanna Fields – are a favoured local spots for picnics, dog walking, cycling, tennis and children's playgrounds. Enjoy a rustic pizza or a homemade sarnie from Cafe Castan – which does a roaring trade on Saturdays after Park Run – before tracing its footpath at points lined with lime trees. If Glamorgan Cricket Club is playing at home, you'll hear cheers spill out from neighbouring Sophia Gardens, Cardiff's international cricket venue.
Cross over Blackweir Bridge into Bute Park, home to manicured gardens, wood sculptures and a significant arboretum as well as the modern Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and several of Cardiff University's grand buildings. Rest your legs at the Secret Garden Cafe, which serves delicious cakes and coffee and is entirely powered by solar energy.
At the opposite end of this grade II-listed green space, at the entrance to the city centre, you'll find Cardiff Castle, which you can visit on a tour or admire from the grounds.
Cardiff Castle is surrounded by the city's grade II-listed parklands (Getty Images)
Read more: The best beaches in Pembrokeshire Go courtside at a premier sports centre
Get stuck into the Welsh sporting culture with facilities fit for elite athletes. Show off your forehand at the bookable tennis, badminton, squash and even table tennis courts at Sport Wales National Centre. Located next to the Taff Trail walking route, it's easy to incorporate as you meander into Cardiff city centre.
Read more: Cardiff city guide – where to stay, eat, drink and shop in the Welsh capital Eat Milkwood
Neighbourhood hangout Milkwood serves up creative twists on familiar favourites (Owen Mathias)
Trendy spot Milkwood has the city flocking to try its simple and delicious brunch offerings. With a menu inspired by Welsh ingredients, opt for bacon, cockles and laverbread (a type of edible seaweed) on toast, or visit after dusk for bespoke cocktails designed by award-winning local bartender Alex Taylor, and pizzettes (aka small pizzas). Bant a la Cart
This sweet neighbourhood deli is a staple on Cathedral Road, Pontcanna's main road. Locals queue to pick up homemade options for lunch or dinner from their counter of daily soups, hot dishes, quiches and cakes.
Read more: Cardiff city guide – where to stay, eat, drink and shop in the Welsh capital Elgano
Set in a Victorian terrace house, Elgano is a quaint Italian restaurant with attentive service and a relaxed ambience. A love letter to the dishes they cooked growing up in Sicily and Calabria in Southern Italy, the chefs have crafted a menu to introduce guests to those familiar flavours. Watch them prepare everything from the open kitchen over a glass of robust chianti. Gorse
The oft-changing tasting menus at Gorse showcase the finest Welsh produce available in a given week (Gorse/ Will Barker)
Winner of Cardiff's first Michelin star, Gorse delivers simple but clever food in an unpretentious and intimate setting. The tasting menu showcases Welsh produce in exceptional ways, from native seaweed and Gower Salt Marsh lamb to Caws Cerwyn, a creamy Welsh cheese. With years of training under Heston Blumenthal, Welsh chef-founder Tom Walters has ditched the London pomp to bring his homeland a chilled-out fine dining experience that is a tribute to the surrounding landscapes of his beloved homeland. Drink Wardrobe Cafe
Slowly sip coffee and enjoy organic treats in Wardrobe Cafe's quaint front room. With French artwork, rustic wood and an elegant piano, whisk yourself away to Provence for a couple of hours in this tucked-away spot.
Organic coffee, teas and toasties are among the delights found in The Wardrobe Coffee Shop (Pontcanna Market) Pontcanna Inn
On game days, this friendly neighbourhood pub rivals those on St Mary's Street, one of Cardiff's liveliest. Pontcanna Inn's large beer garden comes to life with rigby fever on summer nights. After a few pints, a slice from the pub's pizza van is well received. Crafty Devil's Cellar
Set up as an alternative to large-scale breweries, Crafty Devil's Cellar quenches the city's thirst for local beers. If you want to try something new, choose from their selection of unique casks, such as coffee milk stout which boasts freshly roasted coffee from café Hard Lines as well as roasted caramel malts. Cans or pints can be enjoyed at a stool while watching the match on the pub's TV, or taken away for another time. Uisce
A wine and oyster bar without pomp and ceremony, Uisce was the first venture from the team behind Heaneys, the next-door fine dining restaurant. Serving a great wine list and seasonal cocktails, bar snacks and freshly shucked oysters paired with live music on Sundays, this is an elegant spot to begin the night.
Chic bar Uisce offers a happy hour every day (Heaneys) Where to stay
Set in the heart of the neighbourhood, The Pontcanna Inn offers an ideal base to explore and get out to the rest of Cardiff on foot. The townhouse's spacious, modern rooms are conveniently equipped and feel inviting after a day in the lively Welsh capital.
Read more: How this eco-campsite in North Wales became a haven for frazzled Londoners

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Daily Mail​

18 minutes ago

• Daily Mail​

Love Island viewers left bemused after Toni and Emily viciously clash for 'no reason' in foul-mouthed scenes and ask: 'Did I miss something?'

Love Island viewers were left bemused after bombshells Toni Laites and Emily Moran clashed 'for no reason' in foul-mouthed scenes on Friday. Earlier in the episode American Toni, 24, expressed her dislike for Emily, also 24, slamming the Welsh insurance worker as 'Little Miss Sunshine'. Later coming face-to face in a tense exchange, Toni said she was 'done' before screaming at her fellow islander to 'get the f*** out of her face' and storming off. Taking to X fans were confused by the sudden tension between the pair and convinced bosses had accidentally left footage on the cutting room floor which would explain the animosity. They wrote: 'Okay so this whole thing between Toni and Emily reads that somethings happened and we haven't got the full story': 'I forgot Emily was even on Love Island, what is happening off camera for Toni to clock her like that OMG'. 'I like Toni but I genially don't see what Emily did wrong? Maybe they didn't edit it in the scene?: 'I don't know what happened but pretty sure Toni is right': 'What happened with Toni and Emily anyway?'. It comes after Love Island fans shared what might be the most outrageous conspiracy theory in the show's history. Viewers of the ITV2 dating show have claimed that one of the Islanders is an ' AI bot' and was suffering a string of 'glitchy' moments while in the iconic villa. The sexy singleton in question is none other than Yasmin Pettet, 24. The commercial banking executive, who is currently coupled up with Shea Mannings, 25, entered the villa alongside Emily and Malisha Jordan, 24, earlier this week and has certainly ruffled a few feathers amongst the cast. She has gone after 25-year-old Megan Moore's man Dejon Noel Williams, 26, and also laid it on thick with 29-year-old Helena Ford's beau Harry Cooksley, 30. But her perfect posture while chatting with her co-stars and standing by the firepit has raised a few eyebrows. One fan took to TikTok to share the bizarre theory with a selection of clips and the caption: 'Guys I'm scared... I think she's AI.' Meanwhile others have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say the same thing. Taking to X fans were confused by the sudden tension between the pair and convinced bosses had accidentally left footage on the cutting room floor which would explain the animosity 'Yas is actually AI.' 'This Yas girl gotta be AI.' 'I saw someone say Yasmin is AI and bro she is literally not real.' 'Yasmin is the certified first Love island AI icon #Loveisland #loveislanduk.' 'Are we sure Yasmin isn't AI robot? #LoveIsland.' Another said on Instagram: 'AI Yasmin, we needed her.' Yasmin has been bringing the drama this season - and fans are loving it. The beauty left Dejon shocked when she asked if he'd consider a threesome with her and Toni. She's also not been afraid to get to know other guys - including Harry. The pair snogged during last night's episode, leaving his girl Helena fuming, as well as her man Shea. During a recent challenge Yasmin kissed two other boys during the course of the game. When she pulled Shea for a chat around the fire pit to check in, he told her: 'You made me look like a mug.' Yasmin replied: 'Yeah, that wasn't my intention, it was just a game that I felt everyone else was playing way too safe.' NAME: Dejon Noel Williams AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I've met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I've met David Beckham, he was really nice. Megan Moore NAME: Megan Moore AGE: 25 FROM: Southampton OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'd like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we're going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits! NAME: Tommy Bradley AGE: 22 FROM: Hertfordshire OCCUPATION: Landscape Gardener WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn't take themselves too seriously. I don't know if that's asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven't got a specific type in terms of looks, though. WHAT WOULD YOU BE CEO OF? Taking hours to do my hair NAME: Alima Gagio AGE: 23 FROM: Glasgow OCCUPATION: Wealth Management Client Services Executive WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That's it WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I think she'd hire me because I'm a good flirt. I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I'm originally from. If they get it right, they can get my number. But they never guess correctly so it works really well if you don't want to give a guy your number. I'm originally from Guinea Bissau. If they're close and I really fancy them, I'll give them my number anyway. NAME: Ben Holbrough AGE: 23 FROM: Gloucester OCCUPATION: Private Hire Taxi driver WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone sexy, good looking, good chat, good vibes, nice teeth and good eye contact - they're all the traits I look for. Oh, and also a cute smile, I just look at you and know I can be around you all day, every day. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt. I'd have been out of business a long time ago. That's exactly why I'm here. NAME: Helena Ford AGE: 29 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you'll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract. NAME: Megan Forte Clarke AGE: 24 FROM: Dublin OCCUPATION: Musical theatre performer and energy broker WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they're not bad looking, that's always a plus. I love a boy that's a bit pasty, like Timothée Chalamet. I don't mind scrawny, or a bit of a 'dad bod'. I'm 5ft1 so any height really. CLAIM TO FAME? Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton. Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I've also done Panto. NAME: Shakira Khan AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they're all frogs. It's a busy love life but I've not found 'the husband', I'm looking for 'the one'. I'm looking for the ring. NAME: Harry Cooksley AGE: 30 FROM: Guildford OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don't think I'd go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl. CLAIM TO FAME? I'm the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing. NAME: Conor Phillips AGE: 23 FROM: Limerick OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn't work, but it gets them laughing. It's an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course! NAME: Toni Laites AGE: 24 FROM: Connecticut OCCUPATION: Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for darker hair, definitely muscular but not too muscular. Super fit. Clean hair cut. Someone that can make me laugh - I'm super outgoing. And someone that's quite active. Maybe one day we could start our own family together. I WANT TO DATE A BRITISH GUY BECAUSE... I've lived in three different states and I'm still single. It's time to try something new! I have some British friends and they're pretty charming. I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners. NAME: Shea Mannings AGE: 25 FROM: Bristol OCCUPATION: Scaffolder WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? She needs to be bubbly and we need to have that initial spark. She needs to have a nice personality - like I think I have - so that we match together. Also, I have a little boy, so I'll be taking him into consideration with who I couple up with, too. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I'm confident to go up and introduce myself and say, 'You look beautiful', to get a conversation flowing. NAME: Remell Mullins AGE: 24 FROM: Essex OCCUPATION: Self Improvement Content Creator WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A bubbly, confident, ambitious and fun girl. One feature that stands out to me is a nice smile, nice teeth and someone that can keep me on my toes. IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I'm the CEO of flirting. Sometimes it's just unintentional. NAME: Yasmin Pettet AGE: 24 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Commercial Banking Executive WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for a guy who is fit, has a nice body and who is funny with a bit of banter. WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? A guy that's stingy. NAME: Emily Moran AGE: 24 FROM: Aberdare OCCUPATION: Insurance Development Executive WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone with emotional intelligence for one. Someone who is really confident but not cocky. They can hold a room, communicate… oh, and biceps! WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? Bad manners, being rude, not saying please and thank you. I'd rather someone be overly polite than not say it at all. NAME: Harrison AGE: 22 OCCUPATION: US college soccer player and student WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Personality is a big thing, so it depends who I vibe with in there. WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? I don't like it when girls have celebrity crushes. If I'm with a girl I want them to have eyes for me, not talking about another guy when we're watching a film, ha!

The Sun

an hour ago

• The Sun

Love Island game of ‘spin the bottle' kicks off as Tommy snogs TWO girls – and Megan is left fuming

LOVE Island will be thrown into chaos with a messy game of 'spin the bottle' on Sunday. In the teaser clip for Sunday night, everything kicked off and heated up between the singles as they played the raunchy game. 5 5 5 5 Playing the iconic game of Spin the Bottle, the Islanders could be seen donning their bikinis and Speedos as they took turns in spinning the giant bottle. In the brief clip, it was clear that Tommy snogged Welsh beauty Emily as Irish beauty Megan looked on in horror. Tommy is coupled with Megan, but now it looks like there might be tension between the two. He then sensationally smooched Shakira as well. Meanwhile, the real bombshell of the game looked to be Shakira's steamy smooch with Harry. In the teaser clip's edit, it seemed as though the Islanders were asked to snog who they'd most like to be coupled up with. It then cut to Shakira smooching Harry as Helena and Ben looked at their current love interests with disgust. "Is that Shakira and Harry kissing?" said one viewer in reaction to the teaser clip. "Shakira and Harry that kiss? no way so she dumped Ben for Harry? This is Crazy. can't wait for Sunday Night," penned a second. "Was that Shakira kissing Harry?" asked a third, in disbelief. This came after Harry and Shakira rekindled their romance aid "unfinished business" following his hideaway moment with Helena at the start of the series. In Friday night's episode, Harry made a move for Shakira again and even told her she's "The One". Pulling Shakira for a chat, Harry asks how she's feeling. "Initially, you were number one for me," Harry said in a candid way to the stunning brunette. Love Island 2025 full lineup Harry Cooksley: A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare. Shakira Khan: A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. Megan Moore: A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. Alima Gagigo: International business graduate with brains and ambition. Tommy Bradley: A gym enthusiast with a big heart. Helena Ford: A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. Ben Holbrough: A model ready to make waves. Megan Clarke: An Irish actress already drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins. Dejon Noel-Williams: A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. Aaron Buckett: A towering 6'5' personal trainer. Conor Phillips: A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro. Antonia Laites: Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. Yasmin Pettet: The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive. Malisha Jordan: A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Emily Moran: Bombshell Welsh brunette from the same town as Love Island 2024 alumni Nicole Samuel. Shea Mannings: Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side. Remell Mullins: Boasts over 18million likes and 500k followers on TikTok thanks to his sizzling body transformation videos. Harrison Solomon: Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Departures: Kyle Ashman: Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. Sophie Lee: A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. Blu Chegini: A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. He then said that he doesn't think he would do the things he does if they were together, because she "wouldn't stand for it". "It was you," Shakira confessed, "And still is you. But it's your behaviour for me that I can't tolerate." Harry then admitted that he wanted to spend some more time with her and rekindle what they had at the start. "If that could possibly be arranged?" he pleaded. Shakira then said: "It could be arranged."

BBC News

3 hours ago

• BBC News

British LGBT Awards: Steps' Ian ‘H' Watkins honoured

Steps star Ian 'H' Watkins has been honoured at the British LGBT known for his time in the 90s pop band, the singer was recognised for his work organising pride events and his advocacy for same-sex parents. Watkins is the founder of Cowbridge Pride in Glamorgan, Wales and puts on the annual event to raise funds for local causes related to the LGBTQ+ community. He told the BBC receiving the honour was an "emotional" moment. He said: "Tonight is a really important night, all nights like this, because it's a celebration and there's lots of heart. There's real people, there are real stories."I think people have to remember that when everybody goes home and they take their glam rags off, that's when the real work starts."Actor Billy Porter, best known for his role as Pray Tell in Pose, also received a special award on the night, in recognition of his work on stage and screen and for raising awareness of HIV in 2021, when Porter confirmed he was living with HIV, he said he had kept it a secret for 14 years but that speaking about it helped him stop feeling ashamed of his diagnosis. He made his name on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for his role in the musical Kinky Boots in British LGBT awards are considered one of the most significant events for the LGBTQ+ community and have been held annually since of celebrities, campaigners and LGBTQ+ allies attended this year's presenter Scott Mills, who won the LGBT+ advocacy award at last year's ceremony, was a co-host of the night. He told BBC News it was important the event also reflected the work of business leaders and companies promoting said: "It's about creating a more inclusive society where people are respected and they feel empowered at work and valued."It's not all about which celebrity is here, it's about everyday places making change for the better."Sarah Garrett MBE, founder of the awards, said they were about "celebrating our community and those who uplift it".Previous winners include: Adele Roberts, for her work promoting awareness of bowel cancer; Tom Daley, who won the sports personality of the year category, and Doctor Who actor David Tennant.