6 Outdoor date ideas in Cardiff

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I often feel that Cardiff is overlooked when it comes to places to visit or spend the day in the UK, but the Welsh capital has a lot to offer and is the perfect place for a coffee date with a friend, a romantic stroll with a partner or a refreshing solo date with yourself (I'm all about exploring on my own). No matter what kind of social plans you have, at the moment things are still hard and staying outdoors is the safest option especially when it comes to being able to socially distance and there are without doubt bonuses to that as you get to enjoy the fresh air, reconnect with nature and your friends or partner and discover some of the best places in Cardiff.

We are all at different stages in how we are dealing with the pandemic and lifting of restrictions, some of us are still not ready to meet indoors or go to the pub so I hope this offers you a few more ideas for outdoor dates and socialising in the Welsh Capital. Meeting up with friends oro getting back on the Cardiff dating scene can really help our mental health as talking, laughing and making connections is intergral to our overall wellbeing and is something many of us have lacked over the past 18 months but it's still finding a balance that works. 

So I thought I would put together a few suggestions for outdoor dates in Cardiff 

1. Wander around Bute Park

Bute Park is the green lung of Cardiff and with over 130 acres to explore, you can easily spend a few hours here, take a blanket and have a picnic with Cardiff Castle as your backdrop. There is also a lovely Cafe called the secret garden which lies right next to the River Taff and does a mean brownie. 

2. Take a Water Taxi or SUP to Cardiff Bay

One of the nicest ways to see the city is from the water and once you have finished your stroll around Bute Park you can head to the riverside dock within the park and take the Water Taxi to Cardiff Bay. The trip is around 25 minutes and you pass some beautiful scenery and who doesn't like being on the water? PLus Cardiff Bay is packed with cafes and small boutique shops. Another option if your more adventourous is to paddle board along the River Taff to Cardiff Bay or visa versa, you need to go with either a organised group or have a launch pass which is fairly easy to assertain but it's something I have done and 100% recommend. 

3. Hire a Next Bike 

Cardiff is a great city to explore by bike, firstly there are lots of dedicated bike lanes and also there is a National Cycle route along the Taff Trail running all the way from Cardiff Bay to the Brecon Beacons. If you hire a Next Bike from one of their central locations such as in front of the National Museum, you could go for a lovely ride through Bute Park to Llandaff to enjoy a nice slice of cake and to visit the impressive Llandaff Cathedral 

4. Visit Cardiff Castle

The Castle lies right in the centre of Cardiff so it's hard not to spot it when spending the day in the city. If you're local to Cardiff you can get a castle key which allows free entry for 3yrs otherwise you need to pay an admission charge although you do get access to the Norman Keep, Castle Apartments, Wartime Shelters and Firing Line museum as well as there is a Cafe and shop on-site and it's a place I personally recommend as it's so steeped in history and culture it makes for an insightful date. 

5. Take in the sea air at the Victorian Penarth Pier

The Victorian Era Pier in Penarth is the perfect spot for watching the sunset and perhaps even grabbing an ice cream or cocktail depending on your mood. The pier offers uninterrupted views of the Bristol Channel and you can see right over to Weston Super-mare. If the tide is out you can also go down to the pebble beach and skim some stone if you fancy.

6. Take a step back in time at St Fagan's Outdoor Museum 

St Fagans National Museum of History is like no other museum I have been too as it's an open-air museum that chronicles the history, life, culture and architecture in Wales and offers something for everyone. My kids love the farmyard with the pigs and free-range chickens, while I love to explore the Castle and Italian gardens. There is plenty of space here to have a picnic and enjoy a few hours surrounded by some beautiful historical buildings. 

I hope this post helps with a little inspiration when your deciding on where to meet up with friends, family or your feeling ready to get back out there are use a Cardiff dating site to meet other like-minded people, next time your in Cardiff