Did you know?
These are just some of the fascinating and quirky facts about Cardiff. If you know any more, let us know and we'll include them here.
The name Cardiff means "fort on the Taff" - see Deric John's article on placenames for more details.
Cardiff was once one of the richest cities in the world, thanks to the Docks and coal industry. (Sent in by Jemma - aged 15)Ira Stevens left Cardiff for Hollywood in 1936 to become child star Shirley Temple's double and stand-in. She appeared in Little Princess and a Christmas Carol but what happened to her afterwards? (Sent by Brian Lee)Lord Haw Haw, the Nazi propagandist William Joyce, lived in Colum Road during the 1930s. He was hanged as a traitor in 1946. Joyce's editor was Professor Frederick Schoberth, who was head of German at Cardiff University from 1928 to 1939. (Sent by John O'Sullivan)There are only two streets in Ely - Robert Street and Clarke Street. (Sent by Lynne Taylor) Brian Lee wonders if they were named after a local jockey called Robert Clarke who died in a riding accident.The name of Viscount Lord Tredegar's horse, whose memorial is in front of Cardiff's City Hall, is Sir Briggs - Lord Tredegar won a steeplechase on Sir Briggs at the Cowbridge races. (Sent by Brian Lee)In 1857, General Tom Thumb, the smallest man alive (height of 31 inches weight 25lb) visited Cardiff's Town Hall. It cost sixpence to see him. (Sent by Brian Lee)Laurel and Hardy performed in the late 1940s in the old Philharmonic Concert Hall on St Mary Street. (Sent in by Elin Davies)How many Cardiffians realise Buffalo Bill (William Cody) came to town? On his first visit in 1898 he brought sharpshooter Annie Oakley, and the native Americans made camp on the banks of the River Taff in Sophia Gardens. (Sent by Brian Lee)Cardiff is said to have more parks, recreation and open spaces per head of population than any other city in the UK. (Sent by Mike Evans)Spillers on The Hayes (above) is the oldest record shop in the world, established in 1894 when it sold sheet music.Cardiff City are still the only non-English club to win the FA Cup, beating Arsenal 1-0 in the 1927 final at Wembley. In fact, the trophy was generally known as the English Cup until the Bluebirds' famous victory. (Sent by Dave)Author Roald Dahl was born in Cardiff to Norwegian parents - the Oval Basin in the bay has been renamed Roald Dahl Plass in his honour.The first million pound deal was struck at the Coal Exchange in Cardiff Bay.Comedian Bob Hope's parents were married in Cardiff in April 1891.The first British news film ever recorded was of the Prince and Princess of Wales visiting the Cardiff exhibition of 1896.Cardiff was the last place in Britain visited by the late Pope John Paul II - he flew out from Cardiff International Airport after his 1982 tour. (Sent by Rob James)The last air raid on Cardiff on May 18, 1943, was a revenge raid for the Dam Busters raid on Germany the night before. Why Cardiff? Guy Gibson, who led the 617 Dam Busters squadron was married to Eve Moore of Penarth and spent most of his leave in the area. More than 40 people died in the raid, the only one in which the Germans used the screaming Stukka bombers at night, during the blitz on Britain. (Sent by John O'Sullivan from his book When Wales Went To War)Sgt Charles Burley Ward, the last man to receive the Victoria Cross from Queen Victoria herself, is buried in St Mary's Church yard in Whitchurch. He was awarded the VC for bravery in the South African war. I found the unmarked grave and had a headstone erected in the 1980s. (Sent by John O'Sullivan)
Cardiff's fish market once occupied the building on the Hayes now occupied by Habitat. The arches which are now filled with windows were open to the top to allow fish waggons entry. (Sent by Ed)Bute Park is said to be the richest urban park for trees, probably in the world, according to The Royal Horticultural Society tree register. (Sent by Ed)
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Do you know any fascinating facts about Cardiff? Let us know and we'll add them to our list.
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