Cathays’ Highlights
We love being in Cathays and feel the local area has more to offer than you’d imagine. Okay, parking is a bit tricky, but once you’ve found your spot let's help you make the most of your visit! Whether you’ve arrived early or want to explore the area after your workshop, here are some top tips to make the most of your day with Lark! (Click on any text in blue to visit their social media pages)
We've also put all the following places, and a few more, onto a handy Google map which means you can save it to your phone for when you visit ;-)
Coffee shops for before or after DAYTIME & WEEKEND workshops:
Mec Coffee
Only a 2-minute walk from our studio on Crwys Road, Mac sells speciality coffee and is open 8am-3pm weekdays and 10am-4pm on weekends so good for a coffee before a workshop
Blwm Cardiff
This fab cafe is just around the corner on Fairoak Road. They sell some gorgeous gooey cakes, great coffee as well as homeware & gifts. It's well worth stopping off for a coffee before your workshop as open 8.30am-4.30pm on weekdays and 9am-4pm on weekends.
Claire at Teacups and Cupcakes offers an amazing selection of cupcakes and hot drinks and is always up for a natter! Open Tues - Sat 10am-5pm.
FRIDAY’s ONLY - The Table - Gem and her nephew Billy head to the Table on Pentyrch Street whenever she gets a chance, the church cafe has the best home cooked food at the best prices.
Grab some food before or after an EVENING workshop
Maria's Greek Restaurant
Maria's have got us through some long shifts with their great value halloumi wraps and also prepared a great buffets for our staff parties. They are open 7 days a week and offer great lunch and evening options so we'd highly recommend fitting them into your Cathays visit sometime!
The owner at Rascal is always super kind and creates incredible burritos and taco’s - full of flavour! They are open from lunchtime until 8pm in the week or 10pm on weekends
This is a little further away (but still only about 5 min walk) and is a great option for before or after evening workshops as it is open until late serving cafe food and drinks, there’s also often live music there. Sun to Thur 10am-6pm, Fri & Sat 10am-10pm.
Tuk Tuk
A 5 minute walk away on Crwys Road we have a great Thai street food restaurant - booking in advance recommended.
Make your sweet tooth super happy, a great spot to enjoy an evening ice cream or crepe - opening hours are 3pm-11pm Sat & Sun 12pm-11pm
Fancy a drink?
With so many pubs and bars in this student area, why not get involved and have a drink after (or before!) your craft workshop?
The Flora - Chilled student pub
Cathays Beer House Great independent Little Business, with a great range of beers and ciders
The Crwys - Classic Brains pub
Other things to do in the area :
Go on a walk in Cathays Cemetery
It sounds a bit weird to suggest a walk here but it's honestly one of the most beautiful places in Cardiff, you'll spot lots of squirrels and birds as you wander.
Interesting facts for you: It opened in 1859, it's the third-largest cemetery in the UK and is home to hundreds of commonwealth war graves.
Cathays Library
This lovely building on the intersection of Crwys and Whitchurch roads is a welcoming space with a good selection of books and historical papers, they also host events so is worth checking out the noticeboard.
Shopping:
We have some great charity shops so close to the studio - we love St Vincents which is at the end of Dogfield Street on Crwys Road, the biggest charity shop is the Cerebral Palsey shop and a bit further down Crwys Road you’ll find InterAid, that is one of those proper random charity shops with an amazingly hectic window display!
We also have a lovely independent book store with a great selection of reads less than 5 mins away called Book Space
If you like bikes then the guys in Cyclopedia are always happy to help with anything you need.
I will also never go to B&Q etc for paint for my home, the staff and choice at Rabart Decorating Centre on Crwys Road are simply the best!
Situated on Fanny street, this art gallery is a perfect activity to complete your crafty day out!