National Assembly For Wales

I came here and did a tour with tour guide Gareth and I’m pretty happy about the National Assembly for Wales and what it represents!
I’m from America and back in the States I was pretty politically active and was passionate about what I believed in. However, when it comes to politics in the UK and especially Wales I’m pretty clueless about what the Welsh Assembly actually accomplishes (no offense). Asking my Welsh partner and he has no idea either.
However, leaving the tour I feel a great respect for the National Assembly for Wales and all the people surrounding it!
~ Fun facts:
— Anyone can come in and watch the political debates for free. Anyone can come by and speak to their representatives and voice your opinion. Back when everything about Wales was decided in England, it would be pretty hard to travel all the way to London to get your voice heard about local issues. The fact that the National Assembly for Wales is so accessible to the public is a great thing!
— To submit a petition to the Welsh Assembly and guarantee it on the agenda as a talking point, you don’t have to be of any age and you only need 10 signatures. Yes, that’s right. 10. So if you’re from a really small area, if an issue is important to you you can make sure you get your voice heard regardless.
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Yes, the building is without a doubt beautiful. But the National Assembly for Wales and what it represents is amazing. Even if you don’t agree with what they do, the fact that you can just rock up and actually VOICE that disagreement is something that every government should strive for!
Please try to go on a guided tour as well; you’ll learn a lot! Gareth was amazing and entertaining as well, I highly recommend him!

One of the great relieving factors of living in Wales was highlighted when the Conservative Party regained power recently after 13 years of Labour rule. In the economically dark days of the 1980s, Wales was one of many areas industrially decimated by robbing-​the-​poor-​to-​feed-​the-​rich Tory policies. Nowadays, the National Assembly For Wales, which ever since devolution has exuded much more compassion for all its citizens than Westminster seemingly does, has sufficient powers to represent the country’s interests far more effectively. Abolishing prescription charges, making residential care charges fairer, and lowering tuition fees for Welsh students studying in the country are three examples of their socially sympathetic policies. The building that houses the Assembly itself is impressive as well, not traditionally beautiful, but an imposing presence on Cardiff Bay next to fellow architectural colossus the Wales Millennium Centre. As a symbol for Welsh identity, it’s not perfect, but it’s definitely heading in the right direction.

Unlike Tanya I am somewhat of a political animal, and have been somewhat glued to the TV/​internet over the last few days (how will it all turn out?). However this is not a political rant but merely a chance to say that the National Assembly Building is well worth a visit, and is always one of my first ports of calls with visiting friends and relatives.
Once through the inevitable security scanning (although all done in as friendly a way as possible) one enters the main reception area of the building, where the details of the days events/​committees are available.
There’s always a real buzz about the place as the Assembly members chat to their constituents, talk to journalists, or entertain delegations.
If you’re very organised you can book ahead via the NAW website and arrange a guided tour. I went on one some time back and was able to sit in on a debate of all the members (a plenary debate for those in the know!). If you haven’t booked ahead don’t despair, you can wander round the building, viewing the debating chamber from 2 levels.
There’s also a tea room in the Oriel café area, which is an open public space offering amazing views of Cardiff Bay and surrounding buildings!

I should be clear here, that I’m not about to write any sort of political review. Hardly. I’m the kind of person who forgets to register to vote. No, instead I’m going to merely make a couple of comments upon the building at Cardiff Bay and the crazy landmark that it’s become.
The National Assembly building is an incredible piece of architecture. Built around the same time as the Wales Millennium Centre, there are similar vibes to the two buildings. Both use open wood cladding, and a whole lot of slate. There is also an importance placed upon roofs in both buildings. While the Millennium Centre is endearingly known as The Armadillo to locals, I’m not sure is the Assemble building has ever acquired such a description.
This is probably because the roof defies description. It’s massive and all encompassing and seemed to somehow float on glass walls by nothing more than the desperate willpower of the people who work there. If it was to have a nickname, I might suggest: The Umbrella, The Toadstool or even The Flying Carpet.
Worth a look.

This iconic building can be seen everyday on BBC Wales news.
The red brick is clearly visible across the bay and is always a point of interest for tourists.
Admission is free but you do under go security checks due to the nature of the building.
Once inside its good to look around but apart from that there isnt much else to do.
Not really suitable for children.

The back drop to BBC Wales’ News Programme, the Assembly building is a very attractive building to look at. The inside is also very interesting, if you like politics. The building is very modern and sleek. The staff are very happy to answer any questions, on anything from the history of the assembly.

More commonly known as the pierhead to locals, and often mistaken fir a church, its was actually home to offices for cardiff docks. A lovely looking building & if you like your architecture a good building to go and see. There is also a little gift shop inside.