by Kirsty Patrick
Flip, this is a big ask; choosing my favourite independent shops in Cardiff….. Right here goes (I am keeping it central to save your legs!)
So you guys are going to want to have a good old mooch around Cardiff’s Arcade. There are 2 main sets, one up by John Lewis St David’s end of town (Morgan & Royal) & the other down by the Castle (Castle Quarter Arcades). Both are rammed full of awesome business & shops.
You will find the mecca that is Spillers Records in Morgan’s Arcade. Famed for being the world’s oldest record shop, you will not be disappointed with the vinyl selection (your wallet may cry though!)
Cut through the sneaky alley that links Morgan & Royal Arcade & dive into Wally’s Deli. This deli is as old as me opened in 1981 its full to the rafters of all the best food treats you could ask for. Fill your boots with tasty snacks that will keep you dancing all the way through Swn!
Wander down St Mary Street back up towards the Castle & you will find City Surf in High St Arcade. City Surf is a skate, surf & snowboard shop that is run by skaters, surfers & snowboarders! Get yourself some might fine T’s & sneaky sneakers (oh & they stock Patagonia too! I have my eye on a down jacket for the winter.)
A couple of doors down you will find Miss Patisseries. A fab skincare shop that has a fantastic range of natural, cruelty free skincare, all made in Cardiff. Pick up a bath bomb, for a relax after your mega music weekend (take a treat home for the special someone in your life for extra brownie points!).
Almost opposite is Blue Honey, where Cardiff’s cool kids hangout. Exploring the relationship between style and the dance floor, they have a huge selection of vintage & new clothes. Be sure to check out their disco nights! If you want more vintage clothing, you also need to head to Hobo’s (still in High St Arcade). A colourful second-hand store, selling retro clothing and accessories from 1950s to the present.
Wander back over St Mary Street to Castle Arcade where you will find my little shop home byKirsty! Come say hi & check out homewares, jewellery, gifts & stationery from over 65 different designers & makes all with a ‘Scandi’ twist!
You must venture up onto the balcony of Castle Arcade too; the stairs are just to the side of my shop. You will find lots more businesses upstairs including Emma-Kate Jewellery. Emma-Kate designs & handcrafts beautiful jewellery in her onsite workshop. I may have a few EK originals!
Still want more? Get some culture & stimulation for your eyes at gallery ten, just up the road from Buffalo Bar. Founder Cat Gardner’s curation skills are seriously incredible. The gallery has quickly gained a reputation for being one of the leading private contemporary art galleries in Wales.
Enjoy your wander around Cardiff and be sure to go off the beaten track & shop local!
This is a little selection from Get lost in Cardiff, a map I set up to get people exploring Cardiff (pick up a copy from the Sŵn Festival wristband exchange in the Castle Emporium….. or my shop home byKirsty! plus a few cheeky extras!
home byKirsty is next door to our Sŵn Music Museum. Why not pop into both while you’re passing through Castle Arcade?!
