Overview

The Norwegian Church Arts Centre is a former church overlooking Cardiff Bay. Built in 1868 and consecrated a year later, it was a cherished place of worship and a slice of home for Norwegian sailors. One notable patron was Harald Dahl, father of renowned children's author Roald Dahl. During its time as a church, the Dahl family had their children baptised here. The church closed in 1974 and fell into disrepair until funding in 1991 allowed for its restoration and reopening as the Norwegian Church Arts Centre. Today, the centre features a café and hosts regular events, ranging from music to art and more. There is lift access to the upper level, where they previously had a Roald Dahl display. However, this was removed in late December 2024. If this is the main reason for your visit, it’s worth checking ahead to see if the display has returned.

Transport & Parking

There is a small car park located at the Arts Centre, with three accessible parking spaces, although they aren't the biggest but there is space to open a car door on either side. Several loading bays are available, allowing for drop-offs and there is no shortage of standard parking spaces. The car park is pay and display, but there are exemptions for blue badge holders. The closest bus stop is on New George Street, 480 metres away, which is about a seven-minute walk. This route will take you along the bay and past the Welsh Parliament building with the Arts Centre easily visible.

Access

Whilst the venue is accessible, I found it awkward to enter as a manual wheelchair user travelling alone. At the front entrance, there's a ramp with grab rails on both sides. However, I found the door difficult to open, partly due to its weight and also because of the lip in the doorway. There is a doorbell outside to signal for help, but it’s positioned high up, making it hard to reach from a wheelchair. The toilets are on the right as you enter, and the lift to the upper floor is on the left. When I visited, the Arts Centre was changing the upstairs exhibition, so the lift contained various items. Staff assured me this was temporary, and the lift would be clear once the exhibition opened. The stairs to the upper floor have a rail on either side. At the end of the entry corridor is a small café. Despite its size, it can accommodate wheelchair and powerchair users, though some chairs may need to be moved for added comfort. The café offers a lovely selection of cakes, coffees, and sandwiches. However, there’s no lowered counter section, no hearing loop, and no alternative communication formats such as braille, large print, or easy read. While I was able to navigate the building once inside, getting in proved to be the biggest challenge.

Toilets

There is a small accessible toilet on your right as you enter. It does not require a RADAR key to access, and the door opens outwards. The toilet pan is equipped with contrasting grab rails on both sides and a contrasting toilet seat. While there is no colostomy shelf, there are ledges in the room that could serve as a substitute in a pinch. There is a left-side transfer space, but it’s rather tight, and due to the overall size of the toilet, it may not be suitable for powerchairs. The low, small sink features a lever-style tap and contrasting rails on either side, but there is no mirror. The hand dryer is mounted on the wall to the right and is quite sensitive—it’s easy to activate accidentally, so don’t get startled!

Staff

The café staff were delightful. They were happy for me to take photos for my review and quick to offer assistance.

Photos