Cardiff Preston Train

Cardiff is bordered to the west by the rural district of the Vale of Glamorgan—also known as The Garden of Cardiff— to the east by the city of Newport, to the north by the South Wales Valleys and to the south by the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel. The River Taff winds through the centre of the city and together with the River Ely flows into the freshwater lake of Cardiff Bay. A third river, the Rhymney flows through the east of the city entering directly into the Severn Estuary. Its location and geographic features were influential in its development as the world's largest coal port, most notably its proximity and easy access to the coal fields of the south Wales valleys.

Today, Cardiff is the main financial and business centre in Wales and the city was recently placed seventh overall in the top 50 European cities and also ranked seventh in attracting foreign investment. Cardiff is one of the most popular tourist destination cities in the United Kingdom, receiving around 18 million visitors in 2010 and generating £852 million for the city's economy. There are a large number of hotels of varying sizes and standards in the city, providing almost 9,000 available bed spaces.

The city of Preston in the north west of England, in the county of Lancashire, has a rich history from links to the Industrial Revolution through to the famous footballer, Sir Tom Finney, who played for Preston North End Football Club. Preston is a city that has something for everyone and can easily be explored on foot. Take a stroll through Avenham & Miller Parks and Winckley Square and take in the wildlife habitats and get a real sense of the city's green spaces. From there it is a short distance to the Guild Wheel which is more than 20 miles of cycleways encircling the city. Whilst in the city visitors should also sample Preston’s reputation as Lancashire’s shopping destination, offering two shopping centres and numerous high street brands, all of which are relatively compact and easy to explore. However, It is not just about famous high-street names and brands that are on offer. Preston offers bustling indoor and outdoor markets, fresh Lancashire produce, and a variety of boutique and independent shops, many with a long, proud history of their own. Visitors can also can soak up the fantastic architecture too, not least the Victorian splendour of the Miller Arcade.