Blue Bell

Wonderful pub located in the heart of Cardiff right across the road from the iconic Cardiff Castle. This pub has changed over the year as many of the pubs have but it still maintains that warm and welcoming ambience. Engaging staff, hearty food and a well kept selection of beer. A must visit on any visit to Cardiff

Fantastic spot, just across the street from the Cardiff castle. Excellent selection of beverages and friendly staff. A group of us went there and, liking the place so much, we stayed for hours.

I had the Welsh Faggots and a pint of cider. The food was not bad, but the taste could have been better. The ambient and the staff deserve five star, but the food maybe not

Very nice pub but doesn’t have many tables. Welsh food is delicious

It was lovely going to the Bluebell (formerly the Goat Major). The place hasn't changed at all. All of the beautiful old features have been maintained. Great to see! Although we didn't eat here today. They had a very good menu. The chap at the bar was helpful and friendly. I overheard him offer to open the ladies toilets on ground level for some ladies, because the toilets there were upstairs! So, good access from the street but not easy for the conveniences there was a good Size outside seating area for smoking and enjoying company on a warmer day. We will be back, and maybe sample some food next time. 😋

A cracking pub in a brilliant location. Ordered a pint of cask ale. Barrel was lively and bubbled the bar staff found this not good enough and started a fresh pint to ensure a smooth pint with a great head. Also at a great price. Wonderful classic fixings, music at nice level. A champion pub

My new local has to be the Blue Bell. There's not much to fault. The atmosphere is good, the music is always just right (not to loud) and the staff are always friendly. Today I had a selection of drinks and the Welsh Rarebit. The Rarebit is good value for money as it's only £5.50. I'll be back to try other items on the menu.

Recommended by locals, it is one of the oldest pubs in the heart of Cardiff and is a solid, classic pub with everything you could want: a good selection of drinks ranging from beer and cider to wine and cocktails, classic pub food with vegetarian options (veggie burgers), which unfortunately closes relatively early, good music and sports broadcasts in a pleasant, classically dark interior with friendly service. Everything is reasonably priced. Highly recommended!

This episode was a mess... I went here due to reviews... Well mistake.. A new menu was issued, and many items scratched off the menu.. Nobody told the barkeeps... We had some pints and chicken leak pies..these were good.. Overall very confused... The poor barkeep ... I wouldn't go back.. Not handicap accessible.. Ladies room up 2 flights of stairs...

One minute walk from the front of Cardiff Castle, this is military related pub is traditional as it gets. It's a proper old man's pub ideal for everyone above the age of 18. Here is a bit of history the name is taken from the Mascot of the Royal 41st regiment of Wales. They carried a live goat on the Russian front line in the Crimean War. The goat survived the War and was introduced to Queen Victoria back in England. Originally simply called the Goat, the pub was renamed the Bluebell in 1813, and finally the Goat Major in 1995. To this day when the Royal Regiment of Wales names a new goat as its mascot they get several column inches dedicated to them in the Welsh press. I've never eaten here - nor would I want to as it strikes me a strictly drinking pub with lots of real ales on the menu and wall to wall dark wood panelling. Wednesday is Welsh night by the way and apparently the pub offers a range of Goat Major memorabilia - I can't say I'd noticed.

As you try and soak in the Welsh culture you must visit the Goat Major. Getting on for it's 200th birthday, the bar is full of history. The name is taken from the mascot of the 41st regiment of wales during the Crimean War. If you can visit on a wednesday, the major has a Welsh night. I don't know what that entails as I haven't gone on that night, but sounds the right night to take in the best of the culture. Decor is beautifully Victorian, consisting of dark wooden panelling keeping in mind the tradition of this pub. Atmosphere is very friendly here and the staff are very friendly. Prices are that of a city centre but is worth it, honestly. As I always say you should always support these historic pubs rather than go to your local chain. You really get the best of Cardiff during your visit here.

I live above this pub, so know it extremely well. Like the Rummer Tavern just around the corner, it's proper old-school inside with pictures relating to the history of the pub. The name is taken from the Royal 41st Regiment of Wales, who carried a live goat on the front line during the Crimean War. That goat survived the entire war and was dubbed the Goat Major. Inside there is a tiled floor, authentically styled in keeping with the age of the place. 3 TVs are pretty much always showing Sky News or Sky Sports News. There's no sports or anything like that on offer here though. The staff are really friendly and the traditional food is excellent. Along with the Rummer Tavern, I'd recommend it for a quiet pint. I also saw Charles Lawson in here. He played Irish tough guy Jim Mcdonald in Coronation Street. He wasn't very friendly. But still - Jim Mcdonald! 5 stars.

Great local pub across from Cardiff castle. A lot of BRAIN beer but with some Strongbow cjoices as well. Food served until 6pm and kids welcome until then. Classic pub atmosphere with telly showing news and sports.

My new favorite Cardiff bar! This historic Welsh pub has it all: a well-earned classic look (its a very old pub), excellent beers (I loved the dark one), comfortable setting, and a bartender--Ryan--who immediately made us feel welcome. The menu centers around pies, and we enjoyed the two we tried. This pub is definitely worth a visit.

This is a lovely little pub with lots of physical character. It had never been very busy in any of my visits but I have beer seen it as quiet as it was last night. Thursday night in Cardiff town centre and we were the only customers such that the bar staff had the Brasso and were cleaning. There is a good choice of beers and the smell of Brasso wasn't too off putting!! Friendly service and we didn't have to wait to be served!!

For good old-fashioned tradition and real ales, the historic Goat Major pub is one of the city centre's finest drinking establishments, just down the road from Cardiff Castle. Despite its very central St Mary Street location, this Brains pub attracts a well-mannered clientele rather than the rowdy, drunk crowds filling up most of the other bars in that area, so it's not the place to go for a big party night - but great for conversation over a quiet pint (or spirits from the Penderyn distillery). It doesn't lack atmosphere, however, and it can get really busy on some nights. When the rugby's on, things in there are a bit different, but I generally avoid the city centre altogether on rugby days (because I could not be less interested in watching sport, and every single pub seems to be filled with people staring at screens). It's also clean, well staffed, and serves decent if unadventurous and limited pub food - but still offering good value for money. Although for a brief period the pub was renamed The Bluebell, it's now reverted to its former name - which apparently comes from the establishment's close association with the 41st Regiment of Wales, with a goat as their mascot.

Gleaming brass and dark wood. Ornately tiled floor and champion pies. Armchairs and real ale. All that's missing is the roaring log fire and a dog curled up in front of it. The Goat Major is pub that reeks of authenticity. No Sky Sports, no e-number riddled beverages, this is a pub for men of vast wisdom and their vast bellies. On my visit, only beers from Brains were available on pull, though the wall behind the bar was festooned with past guest ale badges, like trophy heads in a hunting lodge. Keep an eye on their twitter feed for the latest arrivals - https://twitter.com/TheGoatMajorPub. A treasure.

Really good pub. Didn't eat here, so I cannot comment on the food, but the service and beer and ale selection is great. They have a nice amount of cask ales as well, which I love. They pour and serve them the way a proper Welsh pub should.

First off, the staff was incredible. Daniel (bartender) went out of his way to help us with directions and find our way around. I can see how it caters to so many tourists, but he was energetic, positive and a wonderful example for not only the Goat Major but for the Welsh people! The food was great, and we enjoyed some drinks. You can't beat the location. It is literally on the main street, right in front of the Cardiff Castle. Great for people watching and absorbing some of the history and culture of the city. I recommend stopping by for lunch - sandwich and some drinks.

Bad timing to come here. Early Saturday evening the place was already turned up to an unbearable volume. It was clearly party time with some people sniffing poppers. My pint of malt loaf was alright, but this was the pub that convinced me it was time to retire to my hotel.

I totally forgot how much I liked this place until I went in for lunch in the week. I had a cheese and pickle Welsh Doorstop, otherwise known as a sandwich made with really thick fresh bread. Simple yet cheap and very yummy. Inside it is a very traditional, small, old man looking pub, but don't let that put you off. The Staff are really welcoming and there's a good atmosphere without having to put up with all the idiotic type you'll run into further up St. Mary's Street. They also serve up lots of guest beers on top of the usual Brain's stuff and serve up a mean roast dinner on Sunday.

The Goat Major is situated in the centre of Cardiff, perfect for some regular pub drinks before going on to the swankier places. It's never really that busy in here, just like the Rummer round the corner, there's just nothing that special about it. Me and my boyfriend tried to eat in here once when were looking for somewhere cheap, however one glance at the menu and we were out of there. It was all pies, basically they just do pies, but all sorts of pies, even fish pies. So if you're not in the pie mood, like we weren't, then there is no point going in here. It's one of those places that you should go to with a big bunch of mates, expecting to drink cheaply and hopefully peacefully. I've never been here at night so can't really comment on what this would be like, but give it a try, you never know, you might like it.

A famous city-centre pub known until the mid-1990s as the "Bluebell" (and many moons before that, simply as the "Goat"), we understand that the Goat Major gets its curious name from the mascot of a Welsh royal regiment which carried a live goat on the Russian front line during the Crimean War. The Major miraculously survived and returned to the UK, where it was introduced as a war hero to Queen Victoria. A Victorian building itself, the pub is part of the local Brains chain, and hence several of their brews are available - Bitter, SA (a stronger bitter), The Reverend James and the excellent Dark. It attracts visitors from all over whilst remaining noticeably "native" - we heard Welsh being spoken in one corner. That said, a lot of English were present on our visit and there was no observable animosity at all. The interior is quite plush, in an "L" shape, with black leather settees, a couple of intimate corners and a tiled floor. Standard pub grub is available, as well as traditional Welsh dishes. The staff are a cheerful bunch, too. Pop by if in town.

Had a lovely pie and pint here on a Saturday evening. The signs said they stopped serving the pies at 1800, but we were in there about a half hour later and had no problem being served. A nice selection of beers, lots of craft Brains brews. Definitely a nice normal pub, nothing too crazy, easy to find a place to sit and watch a match. Service was friendly.

Fantastic pub with a great atmosphere, great for Welsh speakers and English alike. One of the best 'old man' style pubs in Cardiff, with great decor and relaxing atmosphere. Reason it didn't get more stars is that there isn't a big variety food wise, same as a lot of the other Brains pubs in Cardiff

Excellent town centre pub. The landlord takes his work and beer very seriously the result being the best kept beer in the city, the nicest friendliest staff and the cleanest, warmest pub. Serving Brains Bitter, Dark and S.A and a guest ale which rotates between Brains guest, usually S.A Gold, and a beer from another brewery. The menu is a pie menu, somewith pastry, some with mash ontop, all well crafted, tasty and filling!! There is always two interesting vegetarian pies available. Food is served everyday but not in the evenings, last service is 4pm.

The Goat Major was one of our stops while we were in Cardiff right after Christmas. The straight from the cask Brains SA was very good, and the Wye Valley pie was the best meal I had in the UK. Truly excellent. The atmosphere at lunch was fairly quiet, though there were several tables taken. As others have said, it is a traditional sort of pub, not loud and raucous, but a great place for a pint. I will definitely return when we return to Cardiff in the future.

I first came to this pub when my ex was a student at Cardiff so it holds fond memories . It has not changed one bit in fact O think it is the same carpet . It's still Brains but slighty more choice . It is a classic pub so well worth a visit .

Once we got done with the Castle (right across the street) we wandered in here. We both ordered a pie and an ale, they were having an around the UK ale and it was tremendous! So we get our food & it's HEAVENLY! In saying this we had @10 minutes to eat these beautiful large pies, I'll be honest I didn't want either to go to waste! I pulled up my courage & asked the manager if we could ask them to 'hold' our pies for us. They agreed & when we were done with our silly tourist bus, we came back & the lovely cook gave us more chips & peas! I love this place, i really, really do.

Popular with the g39 arty crowd, The Goat Major is a wonderful traditional pub for good beer and conversation, whether one-on-one or as part of a larger mass. Make yourself comfortable in a leather armchair with your Brains beer or spirits from the Penderyn distillery. Peruse the menu, salivate at the delicious sounding homecooking. Relax, don't get too rowdy, it isn't that kind of place. This public house serves its public well, the food is tasty and well-proportioned. Think wild game pie OR mutton and rosemary pie and wild boar sausages on a black pudding mash. Meat eaters do fare best, but veggies like myself can opt for a Ploughman's or chunky sandwiches. Or crisps. Food is served from 12pm to 7pm from Monday to Saturday and from 12pm to 5pm on Sundays. For visitors getting a train home at the end of the night, this bar is also conveniently close to Cardiff Central Station so you probably do have time for another one. Savour it.

Entering The Goat, far from being an act that could get you arrested, is an enjoyably low-key experience. The correct end of St Mary Street to avoid getting vomited over and/or punched in the face on busier evenings, it's perhaps unfairly overlooked in terms of good old-fashioned city centre pubs. But that's an upside when other places are uncomfortably full. Even when The Goat Major does become a touch more crowded the bar staff are on the ball and efficient at distributing the drinks quick sharp. It's great for a quiet pint or a few ales with a bunch of mates more interested in a chat than getting totally on the lash. And though the food isn't about to win a Michelin star any time this side of the next millennium, there are a few tasty quirks that lesser bars in the vicinity would laugh you out of town for ordering. Best example: a cheese board.

Great place across from the castle. Friendly locals and bar staff and they serve killer pies on Sunday.

Love little traditional pub just across the road from Cardiff Castle. This bar is quite Welsh and Proud but the reason I have given it only 3 stars is because like most pubs in Cardiff it's run by Brains, which mean there is little variety in food or drink.

These are the kinds of pubs I like. Nothing trendy here just a trip back in time with authentic pub atmosphere. Great beers and a mellow vibe for people who want to carry on a conversation with their pint. Right across the street from Cardiff castle.

Loved the atmosphere, the story of Taffy the Goat and the delish ales. Can't beat the location. Highly recommend!

It's a bit small and bright inside, and one friend complained about the smell (I didn't notice it). The ale was tasty, the bartender friendly, and I spent a few hours standing with a circle of new friends having discourse and drinks. I would certainly go back.

Real nice traditional pub this,real ales,food,tv gets packed for the Rugby , lots of interesting pictures on the walls,Originally simply called the Goat, the pub was renamed the Bluebell in 1813, and finally the Goat Major in 1995. I once worked for Paul the manager when it was the Bluebell. Wales's regiment had and still has a Goat as it's mascot. I remember one goat who was rather partial to a drop of larger and a ciggie(to eat of course!)_

Cracking little pub which is, somewhat surprisingly, not full of the throw-up-on-themselves-then-carry-on-drinking-and-trying-to-talk-to-girls-as-if-nothing's-happened crowd that seems to frequent St.Mary's Street on a weekend evening. Recommended.

What a great little pub. Brought my jet-lagged self in here for a pie and some ale after a long day of traveling! The fella at the bar helped me select a beer (I wasnt familiar with the stuff on tap) and helped me figure out the pub etiquette! I had the mutton and rosemary pie and chips-- huge portions and really delicious. Knocked me right out!

Pub nearly on the corner by the castle. Quite small inside, so can get busy at times. Good beer, really nice staff and quite an atmosphere as well. Its a really good pub to start a night out- or if you are going somewhere for lunch. It's also very central to everywhere in Cardiff.

Nice little pub, its got character and charm. Like most pubs in Cardiff its a Brains pub but luckily it doesnt feel like a typical brains pubs (note to Brainsplease stop trying to make all your pubs look the same, they're pubs not fast food joints). Beer is good and the atmosphere is chilled, lots of old men sitting in the corner reading the paper. fantastic for a Sunday pint which turns into more than the one.

Cardiff isn't brilliant for pubs, but this one is great. Good central location and lovely atmosphere.

Really friendly staff. Good atmosphere, one of the best pubs I have been visited in Cardiff. Food good value for money too.

Proper city centre pub with well kept Brains Beer (the SA is straight from the barrel). I had a pint of Dark and one of their famous pies with chips (alternative is mash) for lunch. My pork and cider pie had lots of gravy, great for soaking the crust top and dipping the chips, but also loads of meat, very tasty. All pies £7-50. Barman was friendly.

A great pub with an amazing atmosphere, and really friendly staff. A great place to go if you have spent the day in the castle. The best tasting cask ales in cardiff

very nice pub quiet relaxing good food perfect for a quiet 1 or lunch with a friend