Tours/Cardiff/Cardiff Private Dark History Tour
Viator · Private tour

Cardiff Private Dark History Tour

4.9(12)Cardiff1 hour
TRIPADVISOR4.9(12)

Description

The Cardiff Dark Side Tour shows you the other side of the Welsh capital. Cardiff is a city renowned for its castle and its rugby stadium, built on the success of the Bute family and the coal exporting industry. However, it has a darker edge that one doesn't see today, one of hangings, executions, graveyards and disease, for example. Even the most innocuous locations of central Cardiff that we walk by every day may have been the location of execution or slum.

Tour Options

Cardiff Private Dark History Tour

Itinerary

20 min

We start in the middle of modern Cardiff's most central street. Today an upmarket shopping area, but historically Cardiff's infamous housing courts spread out from this street, as with them came disease.

15 min

While a major department store today, the site has historically been the location of a chapel, as well as an execution site.

15 min

Cardiff Central Market is the heart and soul of daily city life today. There's a long history of markets in Cardiff, but the current incarnation infamous for more than it seems.

30 min

Womanby is a rare example of a norse-named street in the Welsh Capital, so it dates back up to 1,000 years. In that time this street has been synonymous with immigration, prostitution, crime and slums.

Admission not included20 min

Cardiff Castle is the centrepiece of the city and the oldest building in Cardiff. It serves as both the most haunted building in the city as well as previously serving as the main prison in the town.

20 min

Cardiff's second oldest building, it has been a centrepiece of the town throughout its history, associated with hauntings, graveyards and much more.

Highlights

Experienced native English speaking guide

What's included

Included
Experienced native English speaking guide

Traveller Ratings

4.9
12 reviews
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11
4
1
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1
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Important Information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(12)

A
A2111AWsarahh
October 15, 2025
Great way to discover the history of a new city

With 5 friends, we all love history and discovering a new city. So this guided tour was perfect for us. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the area. Really recommend

M
MartinMurphy79
April 25, 2025
Dark walking tour Cardiff : a great use of 2 hours.

Eugene is a gentleman and a scholar. He continued with the tour even though there were only 4 of us. It was funny, interesting and slightly spooky!!

1 people found this helpful
K
kevindG4380RU
April 13, 2025
worth doing

Eugene was excellent, took a group of 7 of us who live in Cardiff around the city and we all learned a lot about Cardiffs history that wed never heard about before. would recommend

6
672annamariew
November 19, 2023
Great Experience

Really great guide & a very interesting tour to learn more about our home town. Thoroughly recommended.

Operator response

Hi Annamarie, Thank you for taking the time to leave me a review. Thanks again for coming and i'm glad you enjoyed the tour, even as a local! Eugene

Y
Y2115BUtonyg
November 2, 2023
A cracking tour.

Eugene very personable and knowledgeable guide. A nicely paced tour with plenty of details. Hoping to take part in some of his other tours.

Operator response

Hi Tony, Thanks for the great review. Thanks again for coming, I'm glad you enjoyed it and perhaps I'll see you for another tour sometime. Regards, Eugene

1
144stevem
April 7, 2023
Very Interesting insight to Cardiff

We had a private tour booked for us in Cardiff. This tour has something for everyone, including the history of Cardiff and some of the more dark side, ghosts, murders etc.

Operator response

Hi Steve, Thanks for the nice review. I'm glad you both enjoyed it and I hope you enjoyed your time in Cardiff. Eugene

C
cliveemma70
November 4, 2022
Great tour for anyone looking for for more than just a history lesson.

Organised and funded by City of Arcades week, 2022. Despite the heavens opening for most of the tour the guides delivery of the tour over came this. Have lived here for over 20 years, I still discovered new facts, tales and the darker history of Cardiff. Great tour for anyone looking for for more than just a history lesson.

Operator response

Hi Clive, it's been a while but thank you for coming on the Dark tour last year and for also taking the time to leave such a great review. I'm very glad you enjoyed it, especially in the rainy circumstances. Regards, Eugene

V
valeriemT3502MI
November 2, 2022
Something for everyone

Eugene was excellent, lots of fun, gory, sad, dark, interesting facts to keep locals and visitors entertained for 2 hours despite the torrential rain. Highly recommend, well informed and delivered in a bright and breezy style.

Operator response

Hi Valerie, it's been a while but thank you for coming on the Dark tour last year and for also taking the time to leave such a great review. I'm very glad you enjoyed it, especially in the rainy circumstances. . Regards, Eugene

J
jacquim859
November 1, 2022
Overcome a deluge to deliver dark tales

Great tour, kept a large mixed group entertained despite the driving rain! Fun and fascinating facts, great delivery and humour. Fully recommend.

Operator response

Hi Jacqui, it's been a while now but thank you for coming on the Dark tour last year and for also taking the time to leave such a great review. I'm very glad you enjoyed it. Regards, Eugene

E
EllPezz
November 1, 2022
A great experience, despite the rain - all down to the guide!

Had a great tour of Cardiff After Dark as part of the City of Arcades week, 2022. LOTS of gory, gruesome (and of course sometimes sad) details of Cardiff's darker past. Despite the rain, sometimes constant, Eugene kept his enthusiasm up the entire time. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to others! Thank you.

Operator response

Hi Ellen, it's been a while but thank you for coming on the Dark tour last year and for taking the time to leave such a great review. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Regards, Eugene

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