My United Kingdom: CARDIFF

"IN CARDIFF, WITH THE ROOF CLOSED AGAINST A GOOD WELSH TEAM, THE NOISE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE. THE WELSH UNDOUBTEDLY POSSESS SOME OF THE MOST PASSIONATE FANS IN THE WORLD" England rugby player, James Haskell

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The Welsh capital city, Cardiff, is renowned the world over for its rugby, castle and miles of traditional shopping arcades. It also has a reputation as an extremely friendly city, the centre point of the renowned Welsh hospitality. Incredibly, Cardiff was just a small town up until the early 19th century, when its role as a port for the Welsh coal industry propelled its rise to major city status—it was officially declared as such in 1905, becoming the capital of Wales in 1955. Since the 1980s, the city has undergone major developments, resulting in the huge Principality Stadium, BBC Drama Village and Wales Millennium Centre.

Despite these continual shifts in the appearance of Cardiff, at its core it remains a cosmopolitan, sociable city which deeply honours its roots and traditions. And its residents are always ready to welcome an outsider— especially if they have the opportunity to thrash them on the rugby pitch.

Stuart: I was born and bred in Cardiff and I could never leave. As a young man, you dream of travelling the world and living your life in a tropical paradise, but as you get older you realise that roots run deep and love binds you.

I love the people of Cardiff. I always feel proud when visitors comment on how warm Cardiffians are. It’s true that the whole of Wales is a very friendly place, but Cardiff is so cosmopolitan that it brings the best of people to one place. The spirit of Cardiff lives through its people—warm and welcoming and always offering a friendly word and a cup of tea to anyone who may need it.