Whilst Cathays is a classic amongst students, a recent article by Time Out has named Canton the third coolest neighbourhood in the UK, so it simply had to be explored. Just a twenty-minute walk west from Bute Park, Canton has roots dating back to the thirteenth century. Previously the home of a medieval market, Cowbridge Road East is now the hotspot for independent shops and cafés.
And, in the 2011 census, it was found that roughly 19% of Canton residents were Welsh speakers. Making it one of the highest Welsh speaking neighbourhoods in Cardiff. Although most of Canton can be seen from ‘the strip’ of Cowbridge Road East, close by is Victoria and Sanatorium Park where you can escape the busyness of the City Centre and branch out from the classic Bute Park.
Beautiful greenery and a peaceful atmosphere provide a great alternative to other parks in the city that students may find themselves migrating to. Alongside this, there are many vintage and classic shops for students to pop their heads into and see what the fuss is about; with a variety of jewellery and retro fashion brands up for grabs, the high street is worth a look. Within the long list of cafés and shops, students will find many places to drift to in the dilemma of choosing somewhere to work and eat.
In the middle of Cowbridge Road East, you will find Haystack Café, with a local pub The Admiral, and a Wetherspoons: The Ivor Davies, either side of it. All three are a must visit for students. Whether you enjoy a pint in a pub with the locals, or prefer to stick to café classics, Canton is bustling with diverse communities.
Fortunately for students; there are restaurants ranging from all different cultures. For the foodies: ‘Vivo Latino’ brings a Latin American spice, ‘Fizz n Flour’ is a hit with the pizza lovers, or there is ‘Mattancherry Canton’ for the curry fans. All can be found along Cowbridge Road East with dishes under £14 – making it close to the city centre and not blowing through your student loan.
When discussing Canton, the Chapter Arts Centre is a must visit. Just off Market Road, it features cinemas, theatres, studios as well as a café. Students are welcome, with student prices available in the cinema, the theatre, as well as the café with available workspaces open to students.
Alongside this, there is also the Everyman Theatre Company opposite – the ideal place for the drama fanatics looking for a show. Now the big question: does Canton deserve a top three spot in the coolest neighbourhoods of the UK? After walking around the neighbourhood, there is definitely a lot of potential with Canton, from the growing diversity of businesses to the parks and wide range of shops.
Whilst I would argue that there are other neighbourhoods around Cardiff that also deserve to be on the list such as Pontcanna or Llandaff, Canton is slowly making its mark on Cardiff – so a top three spot is not undeserved. Whether you are just looking to explore Cardiff’s local neighbourhoods or escape Cathays for an afternoon – Canton’s community and charm should make it the top of every student’s list.