Share some of the city's secrets with us

(Guardian) Following the growth of the Facebook group Secret Cardiff, we took at look behind some of the city's unturned stones to share some secrets.

Sometimes it takes a missed train, a wrong turn or a change of weather to make you discover a hidden gem in a city. Cardiff, like everywhere, has its unique collection of subtle relics, untold stories, and secret places locked away in fond memories from residents and visitors.

It is no surprise the 'Secret London' Facebook group spawned a number of rival city groups across the UK. As member numbers on the site continue to grow - I took a peep at some of the recommended secret spots Cardiff has to offer.

Secret London

Tiffany Philippou set up Secret London because she always found personal recommendations better than reading published reviews.

The Facebook group grew rapidly, clocking up nearly 200,000 members before Tiffany decided she needed a better way for users to search entries, so she set up a website - secretlondon.us.

Secret's posted on the site are now searchable on a map, have pictures and can be favourited in a system where the users agree with what the contributor's review. The secrets are often food and drink venues – the best place for a coffee, a galette, or fresh fruit.

While Secret London was enjoying its Facebook boom, with a Twitter feed and blog to match, secret city Facebook groups started sprouting up across the social network – often encompassing something along the lines of 'Because London isn't the centre of the universe' in their group description.

Secret Cardiff

Secret Cardiff was started by Alex Crockett at the beginning of February. He said:

"Secret Cardiff was set up with the aim of allowing people visiting (and locals for that matter) Cardiff to uncover those places that aren't necessarily well known. Or in another sense, those places Cardiffian's know and love that are not publicised wildly."

Alex's aim wasn't to showcase the very small secrets, which even fossilised locals don't know about – but to allow users to recommend places for visitors which may not be in the Cardiff guide book, hoping the "wisdom of the crowd" would run it's course.

The grassroots feel of the group is sometimes ruined by 'spammers' promoting their bar or event, but Alex says he will only take down posts which have no relevance to Cardiff and will otherwise let it police itself. And what about the idea unveiling the hidden gems of the city spoils them because their very appeal lies in their little known status? Alex said:

"The aim of the group was to promote pleasurable experiences that people could share with the group. However as a consequence of the group, businesses should see a benefit."

Cardiff has its own spin-offs too - Secret Newport (started Friday 5 February), started by Richard Morgan, aims to be 'bigger and better' than Secret Cardiff.

Telling a secret

Among the lists of recommendations on Secret Cardiff are Waterloo Tea Gardens, local zine Miniature Music Press, WW2 graffitti on the staircase in Insole Court in Llandaff and the greenhouse in Roath Park where you can buy food for the ducks for 20p – alongside some stunning photographs and the odd 'I love Cardiff' post.

25 Jan Food while in London to attend meetings.

Here's a video I made of some of people's favourite things about Cardiff, and some of the more hidden places mentioned by the Facebook group.

Secret Cardiff from Hannah Waldram on Vimeo.