The Pierhead Photo, Cardiff Bay

This photograph of The Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay, Wales, captures one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. The vivid red-brick Gothic Revival architecture stands proudly against a bright blue sky, with its clock tower and ornate detailing.

Built in 1897 as the headquarters of the Bute Dock Company, the Pierhead played a central role in Cardiff’s industrial past when the docks were among the busiest in the world. Today, it forms part of the Welsh Parliament (Senedd Cymru) estate and serves as a heritage and visitor centre, symbolising the city’s transformation from a centre of coal export to a capital of culture and governance.

Photographing the Pierhead offered a chance to blend history and architecture — combining strong lines, deep colours, and a sense of place that makes Cardiff Bay such a fascinating destination for photographers and visitors alike.