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Universities in Cardiff
Visit your children, family or friends at university in Cardiff
Students love Cardiff – in fact, 10% of the residents are university students
Cardiff is the capital and largest city in Wales. Cardiff is home to four major institutions of higher education: Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, University of South Wales and the Royal College of Music & Drama.
Want to visit your children, family or friends at university in Cardiff? Or in Cardiff for a Graduation? Future Inns is ideally located to all of the university's and can help you see them easily. Future Inns in Cardiff Bay has 197 rooms with everything you would expect of a 4-star hotel. Plus, a whole host of home-away-from-home comforts. The hotel offers all guests free parking, electric car charging, and free WiFi. All bedrooms sleep up to four guests, which is ideal for families and groups. Plus, under 12s stay for free.
With our super flexible rates, you can book with confidence when staying at Future Inn Cardiff. Book direct for the best rates guaranteed on our website, or by contacting the Reservations Team on 02920 487111 or reservations.cardiff@futureinns.co.uk
For additional benefits, you can join the Future Inns hotel loyalty program. For every £1 you spend on accommodation, you earn 1 reward point. Plus, get double points when you dine in the restaurant. Points can then be used to upgrade your bedroom to a suite or a free night's stay. You also get a complimentary drink voucher to redeem when you dine in the restaurant (you'll also get double points, too!) and a member's discount rate. It's also completely free to join!
The largest of Cardiff's universities is Cardiff University. As well as academic subjects, it is home to the Cardiff Medical School and Cardiff University of Dentistry – renowned throughout the country. It is often ranked in the top 150 universities in the world.
The main Cardiff University building is approximately an 8-minute drive from Future Inn Cardiff. By Cardiff Bus it would take around 30-minutes to get there - with the bus stop across the road from the hotel. You could also get the train from Cardiff Bay, which is one stop to Cardiff Queen St – then it is a 10-minute walk, or change the train for one stop to Cathays. By bike, it would take around 15-minutes.
The University of South Wales has campuses in Cardiff, Newport, Pontypridd and Dubai. The Cardiff campus is for creative subjects including media and marketing, dance and design and even film and fashion.
The Cardiff campus at the University of South Wales is very close to Future Inns, it is approximately a 7-minute drive. There's even a pay and display sizeable open-air car park in front of the building. Using Cardiff Bus, it would take around 20-minutes to get there - with the bus stop across the road from the hotel or from the nearby Wales Millennium Centre. You could also get the train from Cardiff Bay, which is one stop to Cardiff Queen St – then it is a 5-minute walk. By bike, it would take around 10-minutes, or you could walk which would take 25-minutes.
Cardiff Metropolitan University has several research and enterprise centres, including the Food Industry Centre, the Welsh Centre for Tourism Research, and the National Centre for Product Design and Development Research. It is also known for its state-of-the-art sports facilities.
The Llandaff campus is approximately a 17-minute drive. On Cardiff Bus it would take around 45-minutes to get there - with the bus stop across the road from the hotel. By bike it would take around 22-minutes, taking you down the Taff Trail.
The Cyncoed campus is a 15-minute drive from Future Inns. Using the Cardiff Bus network, it would take around 50-minutes to get there. Alternatively, it would take 30-minutes by bike.
The Royal Welsh or College of Music & Drama as it is often shortened to is in a beautiful location. It backs onto Cardiff Castel and Bute Park. Performance-based degrees are available at this university, and it has three theatres. Its famous alumni include Sir Anthony Hopkins and Rob Brydon.
The Royal College of Music & Drama building is approximately a 9-minute drive from Future Inns. By Cardiff Bus it would take around 30-minutes to get there - with the bus stop across the road from the hotel. You could also get the train from Cardiff Bay, which is one stop to Cardiff Queen St – then it is a 17-minute walk. By bike, it would take around 15-minutes or a 43-minute walk.
The majority of graduations take place at the Wales Millennium Centre, a short walk from Future Inns, or St David's Hall.
Thomas Restaurant is ideal for fueling up before or celebrate after Graduation. Every day the team serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, evening a-la-carte menus or traditional roasts on Sunday.
A homemade Taste of Wales Afternoon Tea is served daily between 1pm-5pm for £16 per person. We also have a sparkling afternoon tea, gin and tonic afternoon tea and a cocktail afternoon tea - ideal for a celebration. Or our set menu of 3 courses for £25 is also served daily between 5pm-10pm.
A large selection of soft and alcoholic drinks is also available including Welsh beer, cider and spirits, wine by the glass or the bottle, plus 2 for £16 cocktails.
Pre-booking is essential on:
Tel: 02920 487 111 Email: thomas@futureinns.co.uk
When asked why Cardiff is the best city for students, the following points came out top:
With a population of around 350,000 people, Cardiff feels like a small town rather than an intimidating capital city.
Cardiff is renowned for its great nights out. Whether you like commercial music, live music, gay bars or alternative, there is something for everyone. Even now, after lockdown has ended, there are many safe and social distancing friendly things to keep you entertained. See how you can enjoy Cardiff safely.
Some will say that there's nothing better than Cardiff on an international rugby day. Hordes of people head to the city centre to witness the game in the Principality Stadium or the local pubs. The atmosphere is always electric.
Lots of big stars visit Cardiff, whether that be at the Principality Stadium, The Motorpoint Arena, St David's Hall or even the Students' Union. There's never a shortage of upcoming events or festivals.
From musical theatre to plays and even comedy nights, Cardiff has it all. The Wales Millennium Centre sits in the heart of Cardiff Bay, a short walk from Future Inns, as well as the Glee Club. In the centre, you'll find the New Theatre, St David's Hall and the Sherman Theatre which has regular touring shows and the annual panto.
There are shops galore in Cardiff, with modern shopping complexes and historical arcades packed with independent traders. Plus, what can be better than using your student discount?
It's impossible to live or visit Cardiff and not spot the castle. Cardiff Castle sits in the city centre, alongside other historic buildings including the National Museum of Wales.
It is so easy to get around the city, with many bus and train links. If you want to escape further afield, there are many beaches within 30 minutes of Cardiff. The Brecon Beacons are also an hours drive away. There's so much to do outdoors in Cardiff.
Cardiff and further into Wales has the most breathtakingly beautiful cycle routes. Cardiff one of the flattest cities in Britain too. In Cardiff, you can explore the Cardiff Bay trail as well as the Taff Trail, which is 55 miles long in total. Don't have your own bike? Don't worry Nextbike operate throughout the city. Register with your university email address and your annual membership will only cost only £30 too.
Cardiff's parks and gardens are beautiful. Each suburb of the city has its own recreational space, so you're never too far away from a park. Bute Park is one of the most popular, and in the summer months, it is used by students to enjoy the sun and do a spot of revision.
Cardiff has your favourite chain restaurants, but over the last few years, the food scene has changed. Independents serving up food using local ingredients are leading the way. You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to breakfast, vegan, international cuisine and even Welsh food.
Cardiff is one of the greenest cities in the UK. Over the years it has been recognised for its sustainability too. Cardiff is also the first Fairtrade capital city in the world.