Water tower, Cardiff Central station

The water tower at Cardiff Central Station is a brick structure from the 1930s with six concrete supports holding a cylindrical tank. The building stands at the western end of Platform 0 near the River Taff and received artistic additions in later years.

The structure was built in 1932 to supply water to steam locomotives of the Great Western Railway. It became an important part of Cardiff's railway infrastructure and later received official protection as a heritage building.

The structure displays artwork featuring Welsh legendary figures and connects visitors to local folklore. This artistic addition transforms an industrial landmark into a space where railway history meets cultural storytelling.

The tower is easy to view from the western end of Platform 0 and accessible when arriving or leaving the station. A visit takes only a few minutes but offers a good look at this industrial landmark of the station.

Between 2017 and 2018, the tower received a mural depicting characters from Welsh mythology, including Bendigeidfran and Rhiannon. This artistic transformation turned a practical railway object into a visible artwork that tells local stories.

Location: Cardiff

Location: Castle

Elevation above the sea: 9.4 m

GPS coordinates: 51.47593,-3.18170

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:43