The Pierhead

All throughout my childhood this magnificent building has stood redundant. At the heart of the bay this mighty giant found no purpose as other buildings sprang up around it. So I was very happy to hear that this building was to be opened at long last.
In truth they being could have wedged anything they wanted to in here short of a Starbucks, as long as the building was being used. So to find an exhibition about Welsh history ticked all my boxes.
Although the actual contents of the museum are slightly underwhelming, the interactive phone bit comes off as a bit naff and the rest of it gives the impression of a being a rushed job, the interior of the Pierhead Building is fabulous with the beautiful blue tiled walls and the ornate staircase a real treat.
There’s one of those scrolling electronic boards upstairs where you can type in messages that move around the room. Sadly they block out rude words, the spoil sports. The building is still in the hands of The Assembly and as such occasionally holds events regarding Welsh history and temporary art and photography presentations and is apparently available for hire too, try
as your first port of call
If you’re down the bay it’s worth popping your head in.

I love buildings that have been designed by an architect who intended to create an impression and the Pier Head building in Cardiff bay certainly does that.
When Cardiff was the busiest port in the world the dominant elegance of the Pier Head building proudly stated that anything of importance that was going on in this port started and stopped right here.
There is a Welsh history museum inside which only opened in March 2010 which I cannot comment on but I’d definitely grab a photo op against its fire red terra-​cotta exterior.
Oh and here’s a bit of trivia it was designed by Welsh architect, William Frame, who also worked on the refurbishment of Cardiff Castle and Castell Coch. His mentor William Burges, was the architect of Castell Coch and the newer elements of Cardiff Castle — interesting ay? ok please yourself! ;)

This striking and familiar Cardiff Bay landmark is a Grade 1-​listed French-​Gothic Renaissance-​style building that was once the headquarters for the Bute Dock Company, but now belongs to the National Assembly for Wales.
Its bright red, glazed terracotta façade stands out in the Bay landscape and features lots of intricate detail, including some wonderful gargoyles and a beautiful clock tower.
The original owner, Bute Dock Company, was later renamed Cardiff Railway Company — and you can still see a coat of arms on the building’s façade which includes the motto «wrth ddr a thân» («by fire and water»), referring to the elements of steam power that revolutionised the country.
You can also venture inside, as the building now houses a public museum telling the story of the building from 1897 to the present day — it’s not particularly exciting but ideal for any local history buffs. In the Pierhead Suite, there is also a three-​room tribute to the history of the whole of Wales, spanning the years from 950 to 1997.

If you’ve ever seen the Welsh news you’ll see the Pierhead building sitting there in the bay backdrop– its the red brick building with the clock tower AKA Little Big Ben!
Its been a few things in its time, it belonged to the Bute Dock Company and then the rail company before ending up in the hands of the government. Early this year it was reopened to the public as a kinda museum/​exhibition/​space to leave your own political comments. The door was open so we wandered in there and to be honest it wasn’t very exciting. The main room was just like a big hall with loads of scatter cushions on the one side. I didnt go upstairs so missed the exhibition side!