Cardiff Bay, Cardiff

Planners and architects from all over the world come to marvel at the Cardiff Bay eight miles of waterfront development, the biggest of its kind in Europe. The success of this glittering modern development hinges on one stroke of genius – the £200 million barrage.

The Development Corporation took over the urban regeneration of this former coal exporting port in April 1987. The dock area, which had rested in a state of dereliction since the end of the Second World War presented a huge challenge to the planners, the greatest being that the harbour had one of the world's greatest tidal ranges – up to 14 metres. This meant that at low tide the harbour was inaccessible for up to 14 hours. The problem was solved by building the controversial barrage which harness the water of the rivers Taff and Ely to create a 500 acre freshwater lake. It was completed in 1999.

Another controversial decision was to rename the area, which had been known for many years as Tiger Bay, Cardiff Bay. The local council were looking forward and wanted the Bay to have a clean cut tourist image rather than the rough image conjured by the name Tiger Bay. It was christened Tiger Bay by the sailors who poured in and out of the port. They always called rough dangerous ports Tiger Bay but, for some reason, the name stuck to Cardiff. Now the tiger has shaken off both the name and the image and thousands of tourists come to enjoy themselves at Cardiff Bay every year.

Along the waterfront are shining steel and plexiglass structures housing many attractions. Techniquest Science Discovery Centre promotes science and maths in an exciting and palatable way and provides a great day out for all the family. The Welsh Assembly building stands at the Pierhead and Butetown History and Arts Centre provides a fun and interactive experience. The Wales Millennium Centre is an international arts centre, with restaurants, cafes and a theatre which offered the best in dance, music and Theatre. A building which breaks the totally modern look of the waterfront is the Norwegian Church, which was taken over by the local council after it fell into desuetude, and was dismantled and moved to its new site on the waterfront. Its now an exhibition and arts centre and has, what is possibly, the cosiest coffee shop along the waterfront. There are also guided tours of the barrage. An international standard swimming pool and and an ice rink stand close to the Atlantic Wharf Village.

Lake cruises, a boat which offers dinner and a guided cruise of the Bay, and sailing lessons are on offer. There is also a popular water taxi which plies its trade between the Bay, the city centre and Penarth. There are a good mixture of high street multinationals and local shops. Tesco supermarket rubs shoulder with Herb and Ellie's bakery and deli, Lobster Bob who sells clothing for messing about on boats, and Natuzze which sells upmarket Italian furniture.

Writer Roald Dahl was born in Cardiff and, with his Norwegian parents, worshipped at the Norwegian Church. Other celebrities who come from Cardiff Bay include singer, Shirley Bassey, rugby league player, billy Boston and footballer, Ryan Giggs.