Roald Dahl - voted the UK's favourite author to mark World Book Day in 2000 - was born of Norwegian parents in Llandaff on September 13, 1916. We have compiled a list of Cardiff's top ten locations linked to Roald Dahl.

Why not walk in the great man's footsteps and follow our Trails of the Unexpected?

"Villa Marie", Fairwater Road, Llandaff (the birthplace of Roald Dahl)

The Dahl family home where Dahl was born in 1916. Roald's father Harald Dahl designed many of the buildings' details himself. This property is now called "Ty Gwyn".

Bute Street, Butetown (where Harald Dahl's business began)

Travel along Bute Street towards Cardiff Bay. Harald Dahl was a shipbroker and established his successful business ‘Aadnesen & Dahl' in a single room in Bute Street in 1900.

The Norwegian Church, Cardiff Bay (where Roald Dahl was baptised)

The Church was originally located at the entrance of Bute West Dock on land donated by the Marquis of Bute. The Wales Millennium Centre is now on this site. In 1987 the Norwegian Church Preservation Trust was established to dismantle the church and rebuild it in its current location. Roald Dahl was president of this Trust.

"Ty-Mynydd", Heol Isaf, Radyr

In 1918 the Dahl family moved to Ty-Mynydd in Radyr. Described by Dahl as "a mighty house with turrets on its roof and with majestic lawns and terraces all around it. There were many acres of farm and woodland, and a number of cottages for the staff." Unfortunately only the Ty- Mynydd Lodge now remains and this is located next to the entrance of Maes yr Awel.

Dahl family grave at St John's Church, Danescourt

Pay your respects at the Dahl family grave in St John's Church near Radyr. Roald Dahl's parents Harald and Sofie and his half-sister Astri are buried together in this family grave marked by a Celtic cross.

Cumberland Lodge, Cardiff Road, Llandaff

The Dahl family moved here in 1921 following the death of Harald. Dahl describes it as "a pleasant medium-sized suburban villa." This building is now the Howell's School nursery.

Elm Tree House School, Llandaff (Roald Dahl's Kindergarten)

Roald Dahl attended his first school in 1922. It was called Elmtree House and was run by two sisters, Mrs Corfield and Miss Tucker. Dahl said: "I do have a blurred memory of sitting on the stairs and trying over and over again to tie one of my shoelaces, but that is all that comes back to me at this distance of the school itself." This property is now 27 Palace Road.

The Cathedral Green, Llandaff

In 1923 Roald Dahl attended Llandaff Cathedral School which then overlooked the Cathedral Green in the centre of Llandaff village.

The hill alongside Llandaff Cathedral

In Roald Dahl's childhood memoirs ‘Boy' he recounts being very impressed by a twelve-year-old boy free-wheeling on his bicycle down this hill. The cyclist was pedalling backwards with no hands on the handlebars. The 7-year-old witness to this event vowed that one day he would also cycle down the steep hill in this way.

Mrs Pratchett's Sweetshop, High Street, Llandaff

*** Please be aware that some of the sites are on private property and that the privacy of the owners should always be respected.