Before the Motorpoint Arena and the Millennium Stadium ever existed, there was another Cardiff venue that played host to some of the biggest names in music. While Sophia Gardens is now probably better known for its cricket, it once held the Pavilion, which saw the likes of Tom Jones, Jimi Hendrix, and Pink Floyd perform.
The pavilion, which played host to some of the world's most iconic bands and singers, was originally built for the 1951 Festival of Britain, taking up a large space in the southern half of the park, which is now a car park. The building's framework was made up of a war-surplus aeroplane hangar from Stormy Down aerodrome near Pyle.
As well as having the likes of Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix grace its stage, the pavilion hosted the 1958 Empire and Commonwealth Games for boxing and wrestling, as well as the grand dance of the final day of the games. Now, the story of the venue is being told through ITV Wales' second series of Vanished Wales, presented by Adeola Dewis, which uncovers lost communities and landmarks around the country. You can get more nostalgia and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
