Pierhead Building
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Cardiff
What it’s like
Free entry to Cardiff Bay's landmark building, with a giant floor map of Wales, a trail for 5 to 7 year olds and free tours of the Senedd.
You walk in through security, which takes a few minutes but they say to allow about 15, and you're straight into a building that mixes proper history with things for kids to do. There's a play area with sensory toys and a giant floor map of Wales for younger ones to sprawl over, and the Senedd Explorer Trail is aimed squarely at 5 to 7 year olds who want a job to do while the grown-ups read the exhibition boards.
The free guided tours are the bit worth building your visit around, since they actually explain how the Welsh Parliament works rather than just pointing at old photos. Term-time this doubles as a school trip destination, so don't be surprised to share the floor map with a class of eight-year-olds on a weekday morning. Everything's free, including the exhibitions on Welsh culture and history, which makes it an easy one to drop into for an hour without worrying about ticket prices.
The café has panoramic views over Cardiff Bay and is the first in Wales to get the Kids in Museums Family Café Standard, so bottle warming, high chairs and a genuinely welcoming attitude to a toddler mid-meltdown are all part of the deal. Step-free access runs throughout, wheelchairs are available on request, and there's a quiet under-5s area if the trail crowd gets a bit much.
One thing to know: because it's a working Parliament building, opening hours and which parts you can see can shift at short notice around Plenary sessions or committee meetings. Worth bearing that in mind if you're planning a tight schedule around a specific exhibition or tour slot.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 5 to 7 year olds doing the trail, younger ones happy with the play area
- Last entry
- 16:00
- Parking
- Accessible parking available by prior arrangement
- Food
- The Senedd café offering locally sourced food and drink with panoramic views of Cardiff Bay
- Wheelchairs
- Available for visitors to use on request
- Getting there by bus or train
- Wales Millennium Centre bus stop 3 minutes walk
- Hours can change at short notice around Parliamentary business, so a specific tour or exhibition might not run as planned.
- Security on entry takes a few minutes but allow 15 to be safe.
- Cardiff Bay station is a 10 minute walk and the Wales Millennium Centre bus stop is just 3 minutes away.
- Ask for a wheelchair on arrival if you need one, they're available on request.
Plan your visit
Is it free to visit?
Yes, entry is free, including the exhibitions and guided tours.
Do we need to book ahead?
There's no booking link listed, so it looks like you can turn up. Just allow time for security on the way in.
What time does it open and when's last entry?
Monday to Friday it's 9am to 4.30pm, Saturdays and bank holidays 10.30am to 4.30pm. Last entry is 4pm.
How long should we allow for security?
A few minutes usually, but they suggest allowing around 15 minutes and there may be a short queue outside.
Is there anything for younger children to do?
There's a play area with sensory toys and a giant floor map of Wales, plus a dedicated under-5s area.
What about the trail for older kids?
The Senedd Explorer Trail is designed for 5 to 7 year olds to spot key features of the building as you go round.
Is there somewhere to eat?
The Senedd café does locally sourced food with views over Cardiff Bay, and it's accredited under the Kids in Museums Family Café Standard.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and buggies?
Step-free access runs throughout, there are lifts and ramps, and wheelchairs are available on request. Accessible parking needs prior arrangement.
Where can we park?
There's accessible parking by prior arrangement, a Q-Park multi-storey four minutes away with a discount code, and on-street pay and display nearby.
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