City Hall Cardiff (Welsh: Neuadd y Ddinas) stands proudly in Cathays Park at the heart of the Welsh capital, representing more than a century of civic administration and architectural beauty. Built from Portland stone in the early 1900s, it embodies Edwardian Baroque style and serves as both a landmark of government and a symbol of community pride.
City Hall Cardiff History
The current City Hall replaced Cardiff’s fourth town hall, which once stood on St Mary’s Street. Designed by Horace Jones in the mid-19th century, the old building was demolished in 1913 to make way for the grander civic complex in Cathays Park. The move reflected Cardiff’s transformation during the city’s industrial and maritime rise.
The architectural firm Lanchester, Stewart, and Rickards won the design competition in 1897. Construction was carried out by local builders E. Turner and Sons using what was then revolutionary technology—electric-powered cranes for lifting stone. Their achievement marked the world’s first all-electrically operated construction site, a milestone in British engineering. The cost of the new City Hall totaled £129,708, while the adjacent Law Courts cost a further £96,583.
As Cardiff gained city status in 1905, this newly erected building was officially named City Hall. The ceremonial opening on 29 October 1906, led by Lord Bute, marked a defining moment in Cardiff’s civic history and reflected the city’s growing prominence in Wales and the UK.
City Hall Cardiff Design
Clock Tower
Rising 59 meters (194 feet) above Cathays Park, the clock tower is one of City Hall’s most striking elements. Each of its four clock faces measures 3.7 meters in diameter, elegantly framed in gold. The clock’s chimes include an hour bell and four quarter bells, inscribed with mottoes in both English and Welsh, symbolizing the unity of Cardiff’s bilingual heritage.
Fountains and Pool
In front of the grand colonnade lies a rectangular reflecting pool, added in July 1969 to commemorate the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales. The fountains create a tranquil foreground that perfectly complements the building’s magnificence, offering visitors and photographers a serene space to pause and admire the surroundings.
Memorials
Two significant memorials stand near the main entrance. One honors the Polish soldiers, airmen, and sailors who sacrificed their lives during the Second World War from 1939 to 1945. The other commemorates victims of global warfare, serving as a timeless reminder of peace, unity, and resilience in the heart of Cardiff.
City Hall Cardiff Halls
The interiors of City Hall are equally inspiring, combining grand design with tributes to Welsh history. Each hall carries its own identity, purpose, and aesthetic, making the building not just an administrative center but a showcase of art and heritage.
Marble Hall
The first-floor landing, known as the Marble Hall, displays statues carved in Pentelicon marble, depicting influential figures from Welsh history. Financed by philanthropist David Alfred Thomas, Viscount Rhondda, these works were selected through a public contest run by the Western Mail. The hall was officially unveiled on 27 October 1916 by David Lloyd George, then Secretary of State for War.
- Boudica by J. Havard Thomas
- Saint David by Sir William Goscombe John
- Hywel Dda by F. W. Pomeroy
- Gerald of Wales by Henry Poole
- Llywelyn ap Gruffudd by Henry Albert Pegram
- Dafydd ap Gwilym by W. W. Wagstaff
- Owain Glyndŵr by Alfred Turner
- Henry VII by Ernest Gillick
- Bishop William Morgan by T. J. Clapperton
- William Williams of Pantycelyn by L. S. Merrifield
- Sir Thomas Picton by T. Mewburn Crook
Assembly Room
The Assembly Room, often used for banquets, ceremonies, and international receptions, can seat up to 500 guests. Its golden decorative moldings and bronze chandeliers embody the luxurious artistry of the Edwardian era. The sculptures of mythical sea creatures enhance the maritime symbolism central to Cardiff’s identity as a historic port city.
Council Chamber
Located directly beneath the main dome, the Council Chamber was originally designed to host Cardiff’s official council meetings, which now take place in Atlantic Wharf. The room showcases exquisite oak paneling and four large Italian marble pillars supporting the dome. The space continues to be used for special events and civic discussions, maintaining its original grandeur.
In Popular Culture
City Hall has appeared frequently in Welsh popular culture and media. Notably, it featured on the cover of Catatonia’s single “Mulder and Scully,” with a UFO hovering above the building—a playful nod to Cardiff’s creative spirit and the building’s cinematic appeal. Its recognizable dome and façade have also appeared in BBC and film productions, further cementing City Hall’s place in cultural memory.
City Hall Cardiff
