Shop to your heart’s content in Cardiff

From the world’s oldest record store and a plethora of buttons, to a mini golf course in a shopping centre, Cardiff shopping has something for everyone.

Cardiff shopping centre

If you’re looking for a Cardiff shopping centre, head to the St David’s Dewi Sant complex in the heart of the city centre. St David’s Cardiff is home to a host of household retailers, including department stores John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Debenhams, clothing stores Gap, Mango and Warehouse, plus children’s favourites Hamleys and the Lego store. You’ll also find jewellers, homeware specialists, and sports and beauty stores. When you’re done shopping, stop by the food court, it’s filled with cafés and restaurants, from Patisserie Valerie and Pret a Manger to Pizza Express and Yo Sushi. Fancy a game of golf? Head to the third level where you’ll find Treetop Adventure Golf, which has two 18-hole indoor mini golf courses to keep you entertained – try the tropical jungle or ancient explorer trails.

The Hayes

For upmarket shopping, go to The Hayes in the city centre, which is home to luxury designer brands such as Vivienne Westwood, Jo Malone and Michael Kors. Quirky homeware brand Cath Kidston also has a shop on The Hayes, as do chocolatiers Hotel Chocolat. The area is also home to a five-storey House of Fraser store and a Waterstones book shop – the café upstairs is a great place to grab a cup of tea while you’re shopping. Further along The Hayes, pop inside Yr Hen Lyfrgell (the Old Library in Welsh) to Siop Bodlon, a Welsh-language shop selling homewares, such as mugs emblazoned with the words paned (Welsh for cuppa) and cwtch (Welsh for hug), and Welsh food products. Lan Llofft next door is a small women’s fashion boutique selling brands such as French Connection.

Queen Street

This city centre street has long been one of the best places for shopping in Cardiff. The pedestrianised street is home to a number of high street favourites including Topshop, Zara, New Look and Next, and leads into some of Cardiff’s most popular shopping arcades – the sprawling St David’s complex and the Queens Arcade shopping centre. The street also counts budget-friendly stores, such as Primark and Matalan, among its retailers. Other Queen Street shops include newsagents WH Smith, chocolatiers Thorntons and shoe shops Office, Clarks and Schuh.

Castle and High Street arcades

If you’re looking for independent shops in Cardiff, make sure to explore the retailers in the city’s many Victorian and Edwardian arcades. The Castle and High Street arcades are home to a series of weird and wonderful stores. Shoe shop Buzz & Co, secondhand clothing store Hobo’s and Miss Patisserie Bath & Body, which sells face masks, candles and cupcake-shaped bath bombs, all call the High Street Arcade home. While in the Castle Arcade you’ll find Rules of Play, which sells unusual board games alongside household favourites such as Uno and Cluedo; trendy interiors at Home byKirsty; children’s clothes and shoes in Funky Monkey; Claire Grove Buttons, which sells buttons in all shapes, sizes and colours; and Troutmark Second Hand Books, a treasure trove of books.

Morgan, Royal and Wyndham arcades

Did you know Cardiff is home to the world’s oldest record store? Music lovers should make sure to visit Spillers Records in the Morgan Arcade and browse the vinyl records and CDs on sale – the shop also sells tickets to various gigs in the city. The Morgan Arcade is also home to upmarket shoe stores The Brogue Trader and Jon Ian, plus a number of jewellery stores. In the Royal Arcade, foodies will love the range of meats, cheeses, and cakes on offer at Wally’s Delicatessen; The Pen & Paper store is the place to go for diaries, notebooks and cards; while fans of flying saucers, kola kubes and humbugs should stop by The Royal Sweet shop. The Wyndham Arcade, meanwhile, is home to one of the country’s oldest tobacconists, The Bear Shop (officially called Havana House), and Bailey’s Army and Navy store, which sells outdoor gear and military equipment.

Morgan, Royal and Wyndham arcades

Did you know Cardiff is home to the world’s oldest record store? Music lovers should make sure to visit Spillers Records in the Morgan Arcade and browse the vinyl records and CDs on sale – the shop also sells tickets to various gigs in the city. The Morgan Arcade is also home to upmarket shoe stores The Brogue Trader and Jon Ian, plus a number of jewellery stores. In the Royal Arcade, foodies will love the range of meats, cheeses, and cakes on offer at Wally’s Delicatessen; The Pen & Paper store is the place to go for diaries, notebooks and cards; while fans of flying saucers, kola kubes and humbugs should stop by The Royal Sweet shop. The Wyndham Arcade, meanwhile, is home to one of the country’s oldest tobacconists, The Bear Shop (officially called Havana House), and Bailey’s Army and Navy store, which sells outdoor gear and military equipment.