Royal Arcade

Coming from Canada and living in Cardiff the Arcades were a huge treat. It was excellent to not to have to worry about traffic and noise. It was simply a walk about in and out through some pretty excellent shops. I really wish some cities here in the Maritimes would have a look at these Arcades.

One thing that strikes me the most about Royal Arcade is the flagstone paving you walk over as you pass through. I really hope that in years to come, when the shopping malls become the normal every day stores that people will still come to the arcades of Cardiff and that businesses will choose these beautiful parades to locate their stores in. It would be a tragedy if this kind of shopping experience was to disappear from Cardiff all together one day as this is one of the main things I love about the city.
I was walking through here today when I had to pick up a t-​shirt from Logo Embroidery and I noticed how many people were busy bustling around without taking a moment to appreciate the structure they were rushing through. Sometimes, and I know I will sound a little bit geeky here, but, I like to take a minute now and then to check these kind of places out and see how the structure is laid out. These Victorian designs have something that you just cannot get from a modern concrete erection

I love these arcades, truly, truly besotted with the cutest windy, Victorian arcades.
Stepping into the Royal arcade is like stepping into another world. i really hate coming out the other end and wish these tunnels would go on forever. Or, at least until i need the toilet.
In the winter they are perfect to browse whilst sheltering from the typical Welsh weather and in the summer they provide shade and a cool breeze to amble along and catch your breath.
Shops here are naturally quirky which is another reason i love the arcade. Just last week i mindlessly wandered through wondering how each business could survive and then hating myself for even considering such negativity in such beautiful surroundings.
The Royal Arcade is also home to Wally’s delicatessen (check out other reviews) ans Fresh, a tiny little sandwich bar. So, you can always delay your amble by having something to eat.
If your going to Cardiff do be absolutely sure to check these quaint yet spectacular arcades out!

Ok, here we have the Royal arcade, I’m slowly learning the arcades of Cardiff here Unilocalers as I wander down them almost daily but have no idea which is which. I just love the arcades, they have a beautiful feel to them and it always sad when an establishment goes out of business. Filled with shops unlike the rest of Cardiff, we get away from the mainstream and into the alternative.
Down Royal arcade, you will find Wally’s Delicatessen, an always bustling food shop, you will also find little gift shops, clothes shops and eateries. I never remember the shops well and never remember what arcade they were in, so you’re best bet is to take a little wander down all of the arcades of Cardiff, to truly get the best experience as they all offer different things.
This particular arcade join the Hayes area to St Mary’s street, so always good for that little short cut and a little browse at shops you can’t really afford.

In a time when shopping centres dominate so many cities and mainstream shopping chains form the majority of the shops, it is a remarkable and uplifting things to find old-​fashioned arcade such as this.
The shopping experience is so very different from those you will have elsewhere, the walkways are not crammed with people and the whole mood is more leisurely and lighthearted.
The main attraction though, is the range of shops and the distinct difference they illustrate compared to the mainstream shops that dominate the rest of Cardiff. Independently run businesses are the mainstay and offer the opportunity of finding something that you just won’t find elsewhere.
Although Royal Arcade isn’t the finest Arcade in Cardiff (my personal favourite is Morgan) it remains one of the shopping treats of the city. Even if you’re just popping in to get out of the cold in Winter it’s worth taking a look.

A friend of mine not from Cardiff who went to University in Cardiff said the one thing that stood out in his head about the city was the arcades — and called it the city of arcades. I never really paid that much attention to them until he said this. it took an outsider to make me appreciate them. I only saw them as quirky arteries that linked one shopping area in Cardiff to another. But know I pay more attention to them and they definitely are areas of period beauty.
I am not someone who will slam new shopping malls at the cost of the old arcade style shopping as I like both. I believe The Royal Arcade will not only survive alongside St David’s 2 but will thrive due to the increased traffic.
It’s elegant architecture is almost like a designed set you would see in a Harry Potter film. All of the outlets are run independently and they cater to your personally — ok they may charge a bit more for this service but you don;t have to pay it — a walk through the Royal Arcade is enough — it almost transposes you to a glamourous yesteryear that only exists in your head.
Be careful though you may get told off by some power hungry security if you try to take a picture because apparently its not allowed!

Of all Cardiff’s wonderful and historic arcades, Royal Arcade is the oldest, built in 1858. Today it is a Grade II Listed building, containing some of the original shop fronts and still sitting beneath an ornate glass ceiling.
It’s a popular and lively arcade which offers a handy covered link for rainy days between the pedestrianised Hayes area and St Mary Street, with plenty of interesting shops along the way.
Wally’s Delicatessen, for example, has been in the arcade for about 60 years, while newer additions include Melin Tregwynt, which sells beautiful Welsh woollen products, and Fresh, the tiny but enduringly popular sandwich bar. You can also browse fair trade and recycled goods from all over the world at Shared Earth; get stationary at the Pen and Paper Company; pick up gifts, homeware and knick knacks at Rossiters; visit the optician at Specs for Less; and browse or buy art at Gallery 66. There’s also Cameraland; Moshulu for shoes and handbags; and the Royal Sweet Shop for snacks.

I don’t think this is the best of the arcades in Cardiff. It has some great shops, notably Wally’s Deli and the camera centre but it kind of feels to me that this was more of a gap between buildings that they have put this clear glass roof over.
Still it has a lot of charm though its much busier now the St David’s development has opened which means the narrow arcade is no longer as peaceful as it once was.

The Royal Arcade, off St Mary Street, is still managing to see a fair throughput of people, unlike the parallel Morgan Arcade, a little further up the street. This is by virtue of the fact that it is the most convenient link between St Mary Street and The Hayes. The Morgan Arcade also joins the two streets, but meandering off in a dog-​leg and meeting The Hayes at a less convenient point, it’s not as easily accessed as the preferred Royal Arcade. It doesn’t help that The Morgan Arcade is awash with vacant concessions where it meets The Hayes. Conversely, The Royal Arcade is still a vibrant shopping mall that’s always lively and buzzing with interest. The fact that it’s enclosed under a beautifully ornate Victorian glass ceiling tends to intensify the vibe; noises are louder as they carry down this lovely long mews. It also has the advantage of having quite a few unique independent businesses like Fine Chocolate, Logo Embroideries, The Pen and Paper Stationary Company, Melin Tregwynt, and Joie De Vivre as well as a great little Newsagent, The Royal Sweet Shop, making it a more attractive propositin than The Morgan Arcade.

Once upon a time, Cardiff was a great rolling hillside, ruled over by centaurs and talking badgers, and it was burrowed through with little arcades that sold nothing but sticky buns and barley sugar…
Well, perhaps that’s not entirely true, but the quaintness of Cardiff’s remaining arcades is kind of like that. New shopping centres can take a hike, we like the old ones better. If Brighton has The Lanes, then we have the Royal Arcade. We are, after all, known as the City of Arcades.
A narrow paved corridor, with a snake of sunlight through glass weaving above your head, as you travel through Victorian/​Edwardian/​nice architecture…
This arcade is worth a visit even if you don’t intend to do any shopping. Although, if you do, there are delicatessens, health, jewellers, shoes, fair-​trade, art shops, stationers, sweet shops, chocolate shops, furniture shops and cafes…