Cardiff Bay is a sheltered inlet covering about 200 hectares on the Bristol Channel at the mouths of the Rivers Taff and Ely.

The Cardiff Bay Barrage itself is 1.1km long and extends from Cardiff docks in the north to Penarth in the south. This major civil engineering construction project has created a freshwater lake with over 13km of waterfront.

This 220 million pound project has been the catalyst for the 2 billion pound regeneration of the old docklands of Cardiff and Penarth.

The barrage includes locks and bridges, sluice gates, and a fish pass. Follow the links above to find out more about these structures. The landscaped embankment for example is a public open space where visitors can promenade and picnic with excellent views out over the sea and the Bay. 

Over 1,000,000 visitors have experienced the barrage so far – so why not you!

If you are a mariner wishing to navigate through the barrage locks please see 'harbourmaster' section above.