Canton essentials

Facilities & Services: hospital, police & schools

Nearest Hospital

Heath Hospital

Location: Heath Park , Cardiff , CF14 4XW
Drive: Seven minutes from Cowbridge Road East via Western Avenue Llandaff direction.

Local Police Station

Cardiff Central Police Station

Location: King Edward VII Ave , Cathay’s Park , Cardiff , CF10 3NN
For all major issues we suggest you visit the Central Police Station, Open 8am till midnight, 7 days a week.

Schools

Ninian Park Primary School

Location: Virgil Street , (Leckwith/Canton area) , Cardiff , CF118TF

Fitzalan High School

Location: Lawrenny Avenue , (Canton & Leckwith) , Cardiff , CF11 8XB
Distance from Chapter Arts Centre: Drive Time: 5 min Walk Time: 17 min

Cantonian High School

Location: Fairwater Road , Fairwater , Cardiff , CF5 3JR
Distance from Chapter Arts Centre: Drive Time: 9 min Train: walk 10 minutes to Ninian Park Station, train to Fairwater Station opposite the school.

Michaelston Community College

Location: Michaelston Road , Ely , Cardiff , CF5 4SX
Distance from Chapter Arts Centre: Drive Time: 14 min Cycle Time: 17 min

Howells School Llandaff

Location: Cardiff Road , Cardiff , CF5 2YD
Wales' leading academic school for girls aged 3 to 18, boys 16-18. Distance from Chapter Arts Centre: Drive Time: 4 min Walk Time: 13 min

St Mary's Catholic Primary School

Location: Wyndham Crescent , Cardiff , CF11 9EF
Distance from Chapter Arts Centre: Drive Time: 3 min Walk Time: 9 min

Severn Primary School

Location: Severn Road , Cardiff , CF11 9DZ
Distance from Chapter Arts Centre: Drive Time: 2 min Walk Time: 6 min

Radnor Primary School

Location: Radnor Road , Cardiff , CF5 1RB
Distance from Chapter Arts Centre: Drive Time: 2 min Walk Time: 5 min

Ysgol Gymraeg Treganna - Welsh language primary school

Location: Radnor Road , Cardiff , CF5 1RB
Distance from Chapter Arts Centre: Drive Time: 2 min Walk Time: 5 min

The Hollies Daycare Nursery

Location: 9 Sanatorium Road , Cardiff , CF11 8DG
Distance from Chapter Arts Centre: Drive Time: 5 min Walk Time: 17 min

St Aubin Nursery

Location: 503A Cowbridge Road East , Cardiff , CF5 1BB
Distance from Chapter Arts Centre: Drive Time: 4 min Walk Time: 11 min

Si-lwli Welsh Speaking Nursery

Location: 71 Romilly Rd , Cardiff , CF5 1FL
Distance from Chapter Arts Centre: Drive Time: 2 min Walk Time: 7 min

Getting around Canton

Bus

With Cowbridge Road running right through the heart of Canton, the district is served well by Cardiff Bus. The area has numerous bus services that can save you a walk at the end of a long day in the city centre or get you to numerous surrounding areas such as Culverhouse Cross to the west - a popular shopping park. Take a look at the Cardiff Bus network map for suitable bus services.

Rail - Ninian Park Station

With Canton being so close to the city centre, the train station could be listed as central. There are also close links to Ninian Park station which serves Cardiff City Stadium in the Leckwith area of Canton. For an idea on location, Google Maps lists the walk distance from Cowbridge Road East to Ninian Park as seven minutes.

Major Road Links

Cowbridge Road can get you onto the M4 within five minutes. Westbound of the city centre there are strong road links for Cardiff Airport towards Barry, M4 west and east towards Newport & Bristol.

What's on in Canton

Corp Market

Location: 188 Cowbridge Road East , Cardiff , CF5 1GW
Based in what used to be the Corporation Pub, Corp Market is a permanent home to a unique selection of independent local businesses, centred around a welcoming coffee shop and bar with an ethos of sustainability and community at its core. New life has been breathed into the space with a rustic, contemporary and industrial feel, vibrant greenery and funky neon signs.

Chapter arts centre in Canton

Chapter Arts Centre

Location: Market Road , Cardiff , CF5 1QE
Chapter Arts Centre is a haven for the arty folk of Cardiff and the heart of the Canton community. With two cinema screens, community rooms for hire, a bar (of course), a theatre and a café, Chapter is a friendly and relaxing space for all. Annual events such as Art Car Bootique, Japanese Animation Festival and Sunday Jazz Club are popular among the locals.

Victoria Park in Canton

Victoria Park

Location: Victoria Park , Cardiff
A beautiful spot that has been a part of the Cardiff community since 1897, Victoria Park is one of the city's most loved green spaces. The popular paddling pool was converted to a water play area in 2017 which is also where you will find the statue of Billy the Seal. Recently converted from the old toilet inside the park, Bloc cafe opened its door in 2018 offering small plates and coffee.

The Bone Yard

Location: Paper Mill Road , Cardiff , CF11 8DH
Upcycled shipping containers are given a trendy new lease of life in The Bone Yard where small, local businesses operate from them in a large former industrial site on Paper Mill Road. Brimming with cool, urban indie businesses and numerous artists, makers and creators trading regularly, this innovative space in the heart of Canton is a real hidden gem that allows local creatives to flourish.

Cardiff City Stadium

Location: Leckwith Road , CF11 8AZ
Sports fans can rejoice as living in Canton you'll be just around the corner from Cardiff City Stadium! As well as watching a match, you can also take a behind-the-scenes, group-friendly, interactive stadium tour.

Eat in Canton

Nook

Location: 587 Cowbridge Road East , Cardiff , CF5 1BE
Opposite Victoria Park you'll find a row of fantastic places to eat with a stellar reputation, including Nook. Nook’s menu changes with the seasons, with an impressive selection of natural wines on offer to pair with small plates that make for a fun and sociable way to eat out. The independent restaurant features in the Michelin Guide after quickly developing a reputation for quality food, excellent customer service and an intimate atmosphere.

Corporation Yard - Street Food Market

Location: 188 Cowbridge Road East , Cardiff , CF5 1GW
This one of a kind local street food market has a new line up of food vendors each month. With regular events hosted too, the outside yard is a vibrant and colourful social hub that's become extremely popular with locals.

Calabrisella

Location: 154 Cowbridge Road East , CF11 9ND
Calabrisella is a great spot to watch the world go by whilst tucking into a rich homemade ragu or Sicilian arancini. With the owners and staff all from Italy, you know you’re in good hands with whatever you order from their diverse menu filled with traditional Italian dishes. The reasonable prices and friendly service make it a firm favourite with families.

Purple Poppadom

Location: 185a Cowbridge Road East , Cardiff , CF11 9AJ
A lovely, modern and atmospheric Indian food experience. The head chef, Anand George, has had countless positive reviews for his spicy, colourful, fresh and inviting menu. This restaurant also offers a takeaway option that is handy for all moods around food. They've featured in The Michelin Guide and in 2021 and 2022 won the title ‘Best in Wales’ at the prestigious British Curry Awards.

Crafty Devil's Cellar

Location: 16 Llandaff Road , Cardiff , CF11 9NJ
Established in 2014 by two best mates who wanted to make a full-flavoured beer that stood out from the crowd. Their staunchly independent Cardiff micro-brewery has become a staple for those who prefer to explore diverse, unique taste profiles and styles when it comes to picking their pint of choice.

The Dough Thrower

Location: 591 Cowbridge Rd E , Cardiff , CF5 1BE
Known as one of the best places for a pizza in Cardiff, The Dough Thrower pride themselves on using natural, local and sustainably sourced ingredients. Their special dough recipe is proofed for 72 hours to give it its unique taste when cooked in the wood fired oven.

The Lansdowne Pub

Location: 71 Beda Rd , Cardiff , CF5 1LX
This award-winning gastro-pub is another community favourite, set in a Victorian red-brick building with plenty of traditional Welsh character as well as craft beer and real ales on tap. Tucked away on the corner where Beda Road meets Lansdowne Road, you’ll find it’s always full with plenty of regulars who are on first-name terms with the warm and friendly staff.

Ffloc

Location: 327 Cowbridge Rd East , Cardiff , CF5 1JD
A single origin coffee shop specialising in tasty iron grilled cheese sandwiches, tasty breakfasts, hoagies, salad boxes & milk shakes plus an eclectic selection of craft beers on tap.

Mattancherry

Location: 153 Cowbridge Rd E , Cardiff , CF11 9AH
The cocktail of cultures in Canton makes it one of the most vibrant and diverse places in Cardiff, which is echoed in the variety of restaurants. At Mattancherry you can experience a taste of the mouth-watering Southern Indian cuisine with exciting delicacies, enjoyed in a setting that’s full of life and colour.

Bankok cafe in Canton

Bangkok Café

Location: 207 Cowbridge Road East , Cardiff , CF11 9AJ
Thailand has some of the tastiest dishes out there. The country is becoming increasingly popular for travelling Brits year after year, hence why the Bangkok Cafe must be so popular. A taste of Thailand that either brings back the memories of your travels or gives you an idea of what could be.

Happy Gathering

Location: 233 Cowbridge Rd East , Cardiff , CF11 9AL
One of the most popular Chinese restaurants in Cardiff in the last 30 years, Happy Gathering serves typical Cantonese dishes like Char Siu and Sweet n Sour, the extensive dim sum selection itself is worth a visit for.

Vivo Latino

Location: 147 Cowbridge Rd East , Cardiff , CF11 9AH
You can find the authentic tastes of Latin America in Canton at Vivo Latino, serving a blend of Mexican, Brazilian, Cuban and Peruvian style cuisine in a contemporary style (and generous portion)

Bloc Coffee

Location: Victoria Park Rd E , Cardiff , CF5 1EH
A beautiful spot that has been a part of the Cardiff community since 1897, Victoria Park is one of the city's most loved green spaces. Recently converted from the old toilet inside the park, Bloc opened its door in 2018 offering small plates and coffee. As well as serving up a fantastic cup of coffee, pop-up restaurants and supper clubs are regularly hosted here, offering a creative alternative to a traditional restaurant menu and giving local chefs a chance to shine and get adventurous, testing out new dishes with a temporary residency.

Café Fresco

Location: 228 Cowbridge Road East , Cardiff , CF5 1G
“Fresco means fresh” – Café Fresco is a warm, cosy coffee shop that’s sure to become one of your local favourites if you find your dream home in Canton. They look to use the best possible flavours in their coffee and the freshest local ingredients in their food.

CPS Homes guide to living in Canton

Canton, or "Treganna" in Welsh, is a multicultural inner-city district to the west of Cardiff city centre. Like Adamsdown to the east, Canton had a huge influx of Irish immigrants in the 19th century, so perhaps this is why there are so many lively local pubs around the district. Nowadays you'll find a healthy dose of true Cardiffians, students, young professionals and people swapping the exotics of such places as India for the hustle and bustle of Canton.

The area offers a lot due to its multicultural society. The cocktail of cultures makes it one of the most vibrant and diverse in Cardiff, which is good news for those who like to eat out. Whether you're into dim sum, fancy a taste of British aka 'fish & chips', or Mediterranean floats your boat, Canton has it all on its doorstep.

But it's not all about hungry hippos in Canton. It's also home to the HQ for arty folk in Cardiff - Chapter Arts Centre. Chapter Arts is a major centre of contemporary arts, not just in the UK, but for the whole of Europe.

Cardiff Blues supporters

Love your football? Canton is awash with blue and red with The Bluebirds, Cardiff City, are playing at home, making it a great atmosphere for football fans. The Cardiff City Stadium is a short walk away from the area, so get practicing your Ayatollah!


Victoria Park, Canton, Cardiff

If football isn't your thing, Canton also has some perfect getaway places of tranquillity, highlighting the fact that Cardiff is absolutely blessed with lush green parks. Set on the border of Canton and Pontcanna is the very quaint Thompson's Park. And, in the west of Canton is one of Cardiff's best - Victoria Park. Both parks are the perfect getaway, whether it's a crisp autumn's day or a day for soaking up the sun!

Testimonial

"Canton has a lot on its doorstep. It's quite diverse. On one side you have the hustle and bustle of Cowbridge Rd, then deeper into it towards Pontcanna, you have the ambient side of it. Personally, I found the nearer to Pontcanna I lived, the nicer houses, quaint bars and restaurants there were. It's a great place to be if you fancy living a short walk away from the city centre. Houses are reasonably priced too!"

Matt Bottler - Former Canton Resident