Cardiff, Duke Street And The Castle c.1955
Photo ref: C23084
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Photo ref: C23084
Photo of Cardiff, Duke Street And The Castle c.1955

More about this scene

The castle has a long pedigree, with some remains of the Roman period imbedded within the structure, but the whole medieval core was systematically upgraded by the 3rd Marquis of Bute and his architect and designer William Burges in the 19th century. Structures such as the clock tower were added and interiors were transformed to reflect the Victorian taste for medieval and religious art and symbolism. Yet the family who had done so much to establish Cardiff,had driven the South Wales coal industry, had built the gothic fancy Castell Coch, and boasted an estate of 22,000 acres passed on a mere £437 as an inheritance in 1947, as family fortunes declined. By this time much of the Bute land had already been donated to the city.

A Selection of Memories from Cardiff

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Cardiff

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

My mother was from Newtown in Cardiff, near the docks. It was a community of very poor Irish immigrants. My great grandmother had a job cleaning the City Hall. She would walk through Cardiff in the early morning and do her work which included polishing the steps then walk all the way back home again, a good few miles. On the way she would stop at her friend's house and her friend would make her a cup of tea, ...see more
Our great grandfather was a stone mason named William Jones. His daughter, our grandmother, told us many years ago that her father was killed in a fall while working on the construction of the City Hall. It had to be after January 1900 as he was present at Grans' wedding in Jan 1900. I have been unable to confirm the happening of this accident. Can anyone help me? I now live in Western Australia so it is ...see more
My Great Grandfather James Miles died in the Infirmary, aged 40. He was a Labourer in the Cardiff Ironworks. I never knew any of my family, but when I read of where they lived, and worked and died, I feel so proud of them.
My Grandparents William Garside and Evelyn Bowden were married on 29th February 1896 in Cardiff and Grandad lived in Roath prior to his marriage. I imagine they may have also stood in this spot when courting, looking quite similar.