Plan your visit
How to get here, what to do when you arrive, where to eat on campus; we've put together some practical advice to help you make the most of your day.
At the Open Day you’ll have the opportunity to explore our wide range of master’s programmes. You can browse the stands in the main exhibition and meet staff and current students from our Academic Schools who will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
You’ll also be able to find out more about funding, applying, accommodation, careers, student support and more.
Getting here
We strongly recommend travelling by public transport or using the Park and Ride as parking on campus is extremely limited.
By train
Destination: Cathays train station
Visitors should change at Cardiff Central station and catch the local rail service to Cathays. Trains depart from platform six. Journey time from Cardiff Central to Cathays is only five minutes.
By bus
Destination: Cardiff City Hall, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3ND
Some bus/coach services will stop outside the Museum or the University on Park Place. If yours does not, you can get a local bus (routes 53 or 86) from the main bus station to the University which is a short walk from City Hall.
By car
Cardiff City Hall is based in the city centre (CF10 3ND). If it's your first visit to Cardiff, driving into the city to find parking may be time consuming and expensive. To avoid the hassle and cost, we recommend using the Park and Ride.
Park and Ride
Destination: Park & Ride East, Junction 30 of the A48(M), CF23 8HH
Buses depart every 15 minutes and the journey time to the University on Park Place is around 20 minutes.
For more information, please visit the Park and Ride website.
Nearest car parks
Destinations:
- Greyfriars Road NCP car park
CF10 3AE - Dumfries Place NCP car park
CF10 3FN - North Road car park
CF10 3DY
There are a couple of car parks within walking distance of Park Place. The Greyfriars Road NCP car park is closest to City Hall. The Dumfries Place NCP car park is near the rest of the city centre. The North Road car park is near Bute Park and the Civic Centre.
By plane
Destination: Cardiff Airport
Several inter-regional and international air services operate from Cardiff Airport which is about 12 miles from the city centre.
Visitors should take the X90 bus to Cardiff Central station or a free bus to Rhoose (Cardiff International Airport) railway station. All rail services from Rhoose go to Cardiff Central station and many also continue to Cathays station.
When you arrive
On your arrival in Cardiff please make your way to City Hall (CF10 3ND), where you can register and collect an information pack and programme.
If you'd like to use our Fast Track registration service, you will need to bring an electronic or hard copy version of your ticket.
Places to eat
City Hall is a short walk from the city centre which boasts lots of cafes and restaurants for you to get something to eat. There is also a Costa Coffee and Subway next to the Students Union on Park Place if you are looking for a quick snack.
Places to eat on campus near City Hall include:
Students' Union
Our Students' Union offers a wide range of places to grab food and drinks, including:
- Starbucks
- Taf Bar
- Magic Wrap
- The Union Shop
Student High Street (Park Place)
- Costa Coffee
- Subway
Main Building
The Main Building Restaurant is located on the ground floor of Main Building and is just a short walk from City Hall.
Hot and cold breakfast and lunch options are available. Lunch dishes range from a simple jacket potato with fillings to various popular main courses. Freshly made curries, fish dishes, pasta and noodle dishes and a healthy eating salad bar are also available.
Elsewhere on campus
Other restaurant facilities are available in the Trevithick Building. There are also coffee shops in the John Percival Building, Bute Building and Optometry Building.
Safety arrangements
To ensure your personal safety throughout Open Day, please adhere to all warning and instruction notices and act in a safe and responsible manner on any tours, talks or Open Day activities.
Emergencies
In case of an emergency, immediately contact the nearest member of staff, or if you have access to a phone, please phone our Security Control Room on +44 (0)29 2087 4444.
Fire
In the event of a fire alarm (a continuous siren) immediately vacate the building by the nearest exit and remain outside until told by University staff that it is safe to re-enter.
If you are on an upper floor and have difficulty in negotiating stairs, please make your way to one of the designated safe-haven points, which are sign-posted, and use the telephone there to seek further assistance.
Please note that lifts should not be used in the event of a fire.
Meeting points
If you lose a family/group member or become lost on Open Day, please make yourself known to a member of our staff.
Lost property
Please report any items of lost property to staff on the registration desk or security staff.