National Eisteddfod 2018: All you need to know

A National Eisteddfod with a difference gets underway in Cardiff Bay this weekend.

The week-long festival is being staged in the Welsh capital for the first time in 10 years and is expected to welcome more than 150,000 people to enjoy more than 1,200 individual events in a dozen pavilions ranging from the huge Donald Gordon Theatre at the Wales Millennium Centre to Caffi Maes B, a teepee which will stage smaller scale performances.

Initially a competitive festival for writers and musicians the National Eisteddfod has developed over the years into a celebration of the Welsh language and the culture of Wales.

Organisers hope this year’s “fence-free” festival will give the widest audience possible a taste of the very best that Wales can offer, whether or not the visitor speaks Welsh or not.

The centrepiece is the theatre, renamed for the eight-day event as the HSBC Pavilion, which will host about 100 competitions and a series of evening concerts.

National Eisteddfod 2018 in Cardiff (Image: Arwyn Roberts)

Here’s everything you need to know

Where exactly is the National Eisteddfod being held?

The action all centres in and around Cardiff Bay with venues like the Senedd, the Pierhead Building, the Norwegian Church and the Wales Millennium Centre all housing some amazing cultural spectacles and celebrations.

Do I have to buy tickets?

Visitors are encouraged to explore the Maes free of charge all day every day. However tickets/wristbands - which entitle you to watch the Eisteddfod’s events within the Wales Millennium Centre - range from £10 (dailies) - to £60 (weeklies).

A Pavilion Week ticket, which includes reserved seating, is £75.

Entry to evening concerts and certain events will require an additional specific ticket.

Archdruid Geraint Lloyd Owen at the proclamation ceremony in Conwy to mark the 2019 National Eisteddfod in Dyffryn Conwy. (Image: Arwyn Roberts)

What is there to eat and drink?

When it comes to food and drink, the Maes has something for everyone. The food village specialises in all kinds of street food, catering for a wide range of tastes, from vegan food, Indian meals, pizzas and much more.

The Syched bar serves homegrown beer, ciders and wines and can be found near the Ty Gwerin, while the main bars are located in Roald Dahl Plass, close to the live stage.

For the first time, this year will feature a gin bar selling Welsh gin and spirits, just a short walk from the Senedd.

How do I get there?

Bus : There is a shuttle service (Cardiff Baycar, service No 6) running from Cardiff Central station. The Baycar runs every 10 mins.

Train : Cardiff Central, going to Platform 6 for any train to Cardiff Queen St, crossing to Platform 1 for train to Cardiff Bay (every 12 minutes) which takes four minutes.

Bike : The main cycle route in Cardiff is known as the Taff Trail and it links Cardiff Bay with Cardiff City Centre and Cardiff Central Railway Station - look out for Taff Trail signs running along side the river from opposite the Millennium Stadium.

Boat : You can catch a boat from Bute Park in the City down to Cardiff Bay. To see a timetable go to www.cardiffboat.com

A colourful, open-door policy at the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff

Where can I park?

Weekends : Parking will be available at County Hall (a short walk from the Maes) on Friday, August 3 (£5 from 6pm) and all day on Saturday, August 4, Sunday, August 5 and Saturday, August 11. Pre-booking isn’t available and only cash (it costs £10) is accepted on the day.

Week days : Park & Ride is available from Leckwith Stadium which will be manned from 6am, with the first bus leaving at 7am. The last bus back will be at midnight, with the car park closing at 12.30am.

It costs £10 on the day, or you can pre-book (at a price of £8) at www.parkjockey.com

Cardiff Bay Car Parks: Q-Park Cardiff Bay, Pierhead Street (capacity 1237 - open 24hours); Mermaid Quay, Stuart Street (capacity 380 - open 24 hours; Havannah Street - opposite St David’s Spa Hotel (capacity 250)

Can I camp?

The Family Caravan and Camping Site will be located on Pontcanna Fields.

The camp site for Maes B - the music festival held in the old Doctor Who Experience building in the Bay - will be situated at Fitzalan High School, Shuttle buses will running regularly to and from both sites during the week.