The Welsh language is far from dead in the modern age, but even the most ardent Welsh nationalist will have to admit that English is the lingua franca in Cardiff these days. That makes Yr Hen Lyfrgell (The Old Library) all the more special then, a little oasis of Welsh language and culture in a city dominated by the West Germanic tongue. Established in 1882, this Grade II* listed building was the city’s central library until it was replaced in 1988, but Yr Hen Lyfrgell remains an integral part of culture in the capital. The library is home to a Welsh cultural centre that includes a cafe and a bookshop, perfect for anyone looking to immerse themselves in this most bewitching of languages.