swansea bay

Mumbles and Gower

Attractions
2010

SwanseaBay
visitswanseabay.com
Welcome!
Maximise your me time! This handy guide is
just the thing to help you make the most of
your visit, whether the weather is warm, wet
or windy! But if you do need further
information, then pop in to see the friendly
and knowledgeable team at Swansea Tourist
Information Centre in Plymouth Street,
behind the Grand Theatre, (( 01792 468321)
or go to our website, visitswanseabay.com
Have a good time!

V Look out for this symbol - it means that

the attraction is accredited by Visit Wales as
a Quality Assured Visitor Attraction.

Contents
4 Swansea
5 Mumbles
6 Gower
8 Events & Entertainment
12 Arts & Crafts
15 Nature & Wildlife
16 Family Fun
19 Heritage & History
22 Castles
24 Parks & Gardens
28 Shopping & Local Markets
30 Getting About
31 Area Map
visitswanseabay.com 3
Welcome!
Maximise your me time! This handy guide is
just the thing to help you make the most of
your visit, whether the weather is warm, wet
or windy! But if you do need further
information, then pop in to see the friendly
and knowledgeable team at Swansea Tourist
Information Centre in Plymouth Street,
behind the Grand Theatre, (( 01792 468321)
or go to our website, visitswanseabay.com
Have a good time!

V Look out for this symbol - it means that

the attraction is accredited by Visit Wales as
a Quality Assured Visitor Attraction.

Contents
4 Swansea
5 Mumbles
6 Gower
8 Events & Entertainment
12 Arts & Crafts
15 Nature & Wildlife
16 Family Fun
19 Heritage & History
22 Castles
24 Parks & Gardens
28 Shopping & Local Markets
30 Getting About
31 Area Map
visitswanseabay.com 3
 Swansea
The SA1 Waterfront is a stylish start to five
miles of glorious coastline, and it’s
attractions all the way as you work down
the coast - Plantasia, Dylan Thomas Centre,
Swansea Museum, National Waterfront
Museum, the LC Leisure Complex,
Theatres, Promenade, Lido, Boating Lake,
and award winning Parks and Gardens.
Many are within walking distance of each
other and are on easy bus routes.

The City is also tops for shopping and

entertainment in the evening; fancy a film?
Or maybe theatre? Catch a quick bite or
enjoy the latest catch (seafood is our
speciality!).

4
Mumbles
The ‘Mumbles’ are the headlands jutting out
into Swansea Bay and topped by the
lighthouse; but we like the name so much
we use it for the whole of this lovely
Victorian seaside village. Candy coloured
fishermen’s cottages line narrow streets and
yachts sail in the bay. Hug the headland
road to find Bracelet Bay and Limeslade.

What’s not to like? With its very own

medieval castle, Victorian ironwork pier,
Nature Reserve and all manner of arts,
crafts, boutiques, cosy cafés, fantastic fine
dining … and four Welsh Italian ice cream
parlours.

visitswanseabay.com 5
 Gower
Surprising statistics. What is only 19 miles
long but has over 34 miles of coastline, 83
scheduled ancient monuments, 67 ancient
woodlands and 6 Nature Reserves? It’s the
UK’s first ever Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty. A captivating combination of coast
and countryside with evocative names like
Three Cliffs Bay, Pobbles, Worm’s Head
and Rhossili Bay. If the names are
memorable, wait until you see the views!

Our beaches are legendary; miles of sand

(the fine, golden type - just right for
castles), award-winning (that means safe
and clean - good to know), and many with
easy access and great facilities just off the
beach (great for when you hear the shout
‘can I have an ice cream?’).

6
visitswanseabay.com 7
 Events & Entertainment
A good place to start for a ‘Grand’ night
out. Our City Centre theatre has divas,
drama and dames; with summer season rep,
opera, dance, comedy, children’s
entertainment and, of course … panto!

But, that’s not all. Below is a taster of our

events line-up for 2010 - music, theatre,
sport, fun for kids – and we’re always
adding more. For the very latest events
news go to:

visitswanseabay.com/events

Swansea Grand
Theatre
Singleton Street,
Swansea SA1 3QJ

A cultural gem at the very heart of Swansea, the Grand

Theatre provides an exciting programme of live events
and more every season. An eclectic mix of
performances and exhibitions is provided in its Arts
Wing. Theatre Tours also arranged. For full listings of
our shows and events see our website
www.swanseagrand.co.uk or contact our box office on
01792 475715.

www.swanseagrand.co.uk ( 01792 475715

8
January
BBC National Orchestra of Wales (23rd)
Abertawe Festival for Young Musicians
(28th-2nd Feb)
Wales International Open Indoor Bowls
(30th-5th Feb)

February
Swansea City Opera,
‘The Pearl Fishers’ (16th)
BBC National
Orchestra of
Wales (20th)
St David’s Day
Celebrations
(22nd-1st Mar)

March
BBC National
Orchestra of Wales
(5th)
Welsh Regional
Brass Band
Championships
(20th-21st)

April
Welsh National Opera, ‘Tosca’ (16th) &
‘Carmen’ (17th)
Gorseinon Food Festival (24th)
Mumbles Mostly Jazz & Blues Festival
(30th-3rd May)

May
Clyne in Bloom (1st-31st)
Fortress Wales
(2nd-3rd)
Swansea Bay Film Festival (8th-16th)
Mumbles Navy Days (29th-31st tbc)

visitswanseabay.com 9
 June
Gower Walking Festival (5th-21st)
Gower Folk Festival (11th-13th)
Escape into the Park (12th)
South Wales Boat Show
(18th-20th)
Outdoor Theatre

July
Margam Festival (1st-31st)
Gower Festival (17th-31st)
Gower Rock Festival (23rd-
24th)
Aberavon Beach Festival

August
Gower Show (1st)
Botanics in Bloom (1st-31st)
Pontardawe Festival (13th-22nd)
Swansea Bay Beer Festival (26th-28th)
World Party Weekend (28th-29th)
Outdoor Theatre

September
Festival of the Horse
(4th-5th)
Neath September Fair
(8th-11th)
‘Regenerations 2010’ –
Dr Who Convention
(18th-20th)
Gower Cycling
Festival (18th-25th)
Afan Monster
Mountain Bike
Endurance Challenge (25th)
Admiral Swansea Bay 10k (26th)
Bae Fest
Proms in the Park*

10
October
Swansea Festival of
Music and
the Arts (8th-17th)
Dylan Thomas Festival
(27th-9th Nov)
Neath Food Festival

November
‘Sparks in the
Dark’
Fireworks Display
(5th)
Christmas in Swansea -
Parade,
Illuminations,
Christmas Markets
and of course…
Waterfront
Winterland!
(21st-2nd Jan)

December
Christmas in Swansea continues!
BBC National Orchestra of Wales (14th)
The Gower Chorale Perform
Handel’s Messiah (18th)
South Wales Miner’s Museum
Christmas Craft Fair

Event information was correct at

time of publication, please check
visitswanseabay.com/events before visiting.

* to be confirmed

visitswanseabay.com 11
 Arts, Crafts and Galleries
Start at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery for
old masters, rare Swansea Pottery and
cutting edge exhibitions. Maritime Quarter
galleries show the best in local work; and
there’s definitely something in the air in
Mumbles – art galleries, craft shops and
potteries bring out the creative side in
everyone.

Poet Dylan Thomas was a rebel and a

celebrity – and we love him for it! So
much so, he has his own Dylan Thomas
Centre, home to a unique exhibition and a
strong literary programme, culminating in
the annual Dylan Thomas Festival.

visitswanseabay.com/arts

The Lovespoon
Gallery
492 Mumbles Road,
Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4BX
Since 1987 the original gallery, with hundreds of designs
from individual carvers. Our beautiful handcarved Welsh
Lovespoons are the perfect souvenir or a memento for
all special occasions. Open Mon - Sat, 10am - 5.30pm.
www.thelovespoongallery.com ( 01792 360132
12
 Glynn Vivian
Art Gallery
Alexandra Road,
Swansea SA1 5DZ

The Glynn Vivian offers a range of visual arts from the

original bequest of Richard Glynn Vivian (1835 - 1910)
to 20th century Welsh Art, which is complemented by
the lively contemporary exhibitions programme. Free
activities, events and workshops available. Visit the
website for details. Open all year, Tues - Sun (closed
Mondays except Bank Holidays), 10am - 5pm.
V
www.glynnviviangallery.org ( 01792 516900

visitswanseabay.com 13
 Mumbles Pottery

626 Mumbles Road,

Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4EA
Affordable, individual selection of quality gift ideas -
all hand crafted on the premises. Come and throw or
paint your own pottery, it's easy and fun! Open Mar -
Dec, daily, 10am - 5pm (for Jan and Feb telephone).
www.mumblespottery.co.uk ( 01792 361245
Dylan Thomas
Centre
Somerset Place,
Swansea SA1 1RR

The centre celebrates the life of Dylan Thomas with its

permanent exhibition. It’s also the home of the Dylan
Thomas Festival and regular literary events. The venue
also has a restaurant and bookshop café. Weddings and
conferences are also accommodated. Open all year,
daily, 10am - 4.30pm.

V
www.swansea.gov.uk/dtc ( 01792 463980
14
 Nature & Wildlife
Our green spaces are great places to enjoy
the views, the wildlife and the tranquillity.
The National Trust protects much of our
Gower Coastline, and across the region we
have 10 Nature Reserves and 24 Wildlife
Trust Reserves – some of international
importance. All offer sanctuary to birds,
butterflies, amphibians, reptiles and
mammals – in very diverse habitats ranging
from grassland, woodland, wetlands and
sand dunes to salt marsh. And our new
Wildflower Centre on Gower is doing its
bit for the British bee with its natural planting
programme.

visitswanseabay.com/naturereserves

Gower Wildflower &

Local Produce Centre
Blackhills Lane,
Swansea SA2 7JN
Wales' only wildflower centre, and Gower's local
produce shop and café. Delicious home baked food using
home grown and Gower produce. Enjoy relaxing
afternoon teas in peaceful countryside. Open daily.
www.gowerwildflowers.co.uk ( 01792 298496
visitswanseabay.com 15
 Family Fun
Where can you surf (the real deal) inside
and out? Here! Our LC Leisure Complex is
the place to go; as well as the Boardrider,
the exhilarating Master Blaster, waterslides
and Wave Pool, there’s the 30ft Climbing
Wall, Playzone, state of the art gym and
spa. They mean it when they say there’s
something for everyone!

Next door, the National Waterfront

Museum encourages kids to get interactive
with our history. Over the road it’s all
plants, fish, and parakeets at tropical
Plantasia. The Gower Heritage Centre has
a working water mill, the Swansea Bay
Rider chugs along the Prom, you can
even ride a Dragon on our Boating Lake
or go for a white water ride along the
Gower coastline.

visitswanseabay.com/funforall

The Chocolate
Factory
Kingsway, Swansea Industrial
Park, Swansea SA5 4DL
Visit the Chocolate Factory for a really chocolatey
experience! Please visit our website for opening times.
Open Jan - Dec, Mon - Fri, booking essential.

www.michton.com ( 01792 561617

16
 Gower Coast
Adventures
Gower

Friendly, family-run business established in summer 2003.

Aiming to provide a breathtaking, interactive tour of the
South Gower Coast. Operating from Knab Rock,
Mumbles. Open Mar - Oct, daily, 8am - 8pm. V
www.gowercoastadventures.co.uk ( 07866 250440

Gower Heritage
Centre
Mill Buildings, Parkmill,
Swansea SA3 2EH
A 12th Century watermill with tearooms, children’s play
areas, craft activities and shops, animal enclosure, Wales’
smallest cinema, blacksmith, woodturner, woollen mill,
farming museum and accommodation. Open all year. V
www.gowerheritagecentre.co.uk ( 01792 371206
Heart of Wales
(Railway) Line
Swansea - Llandrindod Wells -
Shrewsbury
Choose the Heart of Wales Line for a relaxing day out
exploring the hills and valleys of Mid Wales. Glorious
views, splendid walks and fine places to stay. Open all
year, see website for details.
www.heart-of-wales.co.uk ( 0845 748 4950
National
Waterfront Museum
Oystermouth Road, Maritime
Quarter, Swansea SA1 3RD
Looking for free family fun? Visit the National Waterfront
Museum. Explore the rich history of Welsh industry and
innovation, where the technology of today puts the past
at your fingertips. Open daily, 10am - 5pm. V
www.museumwales.ac.uk ( 01792 638950
visitswanseabay.com 17
 Mumbles Pier

Mumbles Road,
Swansea SA3 4EN
Try Happy Hour coffee while looking out over Swansea
Bay, with great food, a friendly pub, state of the art
amusements, a private beach - oh, and a Victorian Pier
too! Open all year, daily, 10am - 10pm.
www.mumbles-pier.co.uk ( 01792 365225
LC

Oystermouth Road,
Swansea SA1 3ST
LC is South Wales’ premier leisure complex, jam packed
with activities for all ages including the fantastic
waterpark, 30ft climbing wall and indoor play area. Open
all year, see website for details. V
www.thelcswansea.com ( 01792 466500

18
 Heritage & History
Mystery tour. No need to stay in the dark.
There are lots of ways to shine a light on
our history. It’s all high tech and interactive
at the National Waterfront Museum - not
to mention fun. Or you could dig for buried
historical treasure at our Archives. And
Swansea Museum should be in a
museum (so said Dylan Thomas) - it’s the
oldest in Wales - you can delve even
further here to prehistoric Swansea Bay!

visitswanseabay.com/history

1940’s Swansea Bay

Baldwin’s Crescent, Crymlyn

Burrows, Swansea SA1 8PT
Experience the sights and sounds of life during WWII.
1940’s clothes and uniforms to try on. Fun for everyone!
Indoor street scene, shop, cafe, special events, groups
welcome. Open daily, 10am - 4pm, details on website. V
www.1940sswanseabay.co.uk ( 01792 458864
West Glamorgan
Archives
Civic Centre, Oystermouth
Road, Swansea SA1 3SN
A service for those who wish to delve into our area’s
past. You can trace your family tree and discover more of
our maritime and industrial heritage. Details on website.
www.swansea.gov.uk/
westglamorganarchives ( 01792 636589
visitswanseabay.com 19
 Swansea Museum

Victoria Road,
Maritime Quarter,
Swansea SA1 1SN
The oldest museum in Wales is now accessible to all
visitors. It gives a feel of Swansea life, past and present,
from the Egyptian Mummy to the nearby Tramway
Centre and floating exhibits. Swansea Museum is open
all year, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am - 5pm.
The Museum’s Collection Centre, open on
Wednesdays, is a short drive away.
V
www.swansea.gov.uk/
swanseamuseum ( 01792 653763
Neath Port Talbot
Museums
Neath
Port Talbot

Fun filled hours at NPT Museums. Follow the history of

Neath and its coal mining past at two great museums.
Neath Museum open all year Tuesday to Saturday.
Cefn Coed Colliery Museum open daily from March to
October. Free entry.

www.npt.gov.uk/museums ( 01639 645726

Aberdulais Falls

The National Trust, Aberdulais

Falls, Aberdulais, Neath SA10 8EU
An historic Victorian tinplate works is what remains of
400 years of industrial innovation. Today, Aberdulais Falls
generates its own 'green' electricity from Europe's largest
waterwheel. Fully accessible for all. Details on website.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk ( 01639 636674
20
National
Waterfront
Museum

visitswanseabay.com 21
 Castles
How do you like your castles? Impressive
medieval keeps, fortified Tudor manor
houses or brooding ruins cursed by the
Queen of the Faeries (yes, really!). We
even have a medieval castle in a farmyard.
They’ve all got stories to tell of conquering
Norman lords, rebel uprisings or Tudor
gentlemen favoured by the new court of
Henry VII.

visitswanseabay.com/history

Oxwich
Castle
Gower,
Swansea SA3 1NG
The remains of this magnificent Tudor mansion, created
by the Mansel family during the sixteenth century stands
on a headland above the wide sweep of Oxwich Bay.
Open Mar - Oct, Mon - Sat, 10am - 5pm.
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk ( 01792 390359
Oystermouth
Castle
Off Newton Road, Mumbles,
Swansea
Visit website for opening times of castle. Grounds and
woodland walks are open all year.

www.swansea.gov.uk/
oystermouthcastle ( 01792 468321
2
22
visitswanseabay.com 23
 Parks & Gardens
You can’t tame Mother Nature - but in the
parks and gardens across the City our park
keepers have certainly managed to bring
out the best in her. We have our very own
secret garden in a quiet corner of Singleton
Park; walk into a world of colour which
changes with the seasons. Clyne Park glows
red and pink in springtime, as azaleas and
rhododendrons bloom. Victorian Brynmill
Park has just had a makeover, Cwmdonkin
Park, the favourite of Swansea poet Dylan
Thomas, is a short walk from his childhood
home, while many of our parks feature
activities from tennis and bowls to
crazy golf!

Go undercover at Plantasia, perfect for

rainy days, but also perfect if you like plants
from the tropics, parakeets, and cotton-top
tamarin monkeys.

visitswanseabay.com/gardens

Margam
Country Park
Margam,
Port Talbot SA13 2TJ
Set in 1000 acres of glorious parklands, Margam Country
Park offers beauty, history, wildlife and a wide range of
facilities to make it one of the best days out in Wales for
all the family. Open all year, daily, 10am - 5pm.
www.npt.gov.uk/margampark ( 01639 881635
24
 Singleton Park &
Botanical Gardens
Singleton Park, off Gower
Road, Swansea SA2 9DU
Home to one of Wales' premier plant collections with
spectacular herbaceous borders and large glasshouses.
Perfect relaxing family day out. For opening times
see website.
www.breatheswansea.com ( 01792 205327
Clyne Gardens

Blackpill,
Swansea SA3 5BD
Beautiful and varied national collections of plants set
in picturesque award-winning parkland. Open all year.

www.breatheswansea.com ( 01792 205327

visitswanseabay.com 25
 Plantasia

Parc Tawe
Swansea SA1 2AL

An exotic world of plants and animals situated in the

heart of the city. From insects, reptiles, fish and
monkeys to banana/pineapple plants, prickly cacti and
giant bamboo - this all-weather attraction has it all,
perfect for that unique family day out. Open daily
10am-5pm (closed Mondays, December & January).
Admission fees apply. Coffee shop and gift shop
on site.

www.plantasia.org ( 01792 474555

26
 ~
·.-1-
breathe swansea
• onadlu obertowe
My Swansea City and County of Swansea
Fy Abertawe Dinas a Sir Abertawe

visitswanseabay.com 27
 Shopping & Local Markets
There are different types of shopping. The
‘must get something to wear for tonight’
shopping, the ‘ooh Penclawdd cockles and
locally caught fresh fish’ shopping and ‘that
watercolour of Mumbles would be a lovely
keepsake’ shopping. We specialise in all
three varieties here.

The City Centre has your favourite stores,

interesting boutiques and Wales’ largest
indoor market for fresh local produce
(including cockles and warm welshcakes
fresh from the bakestone). Our Farmer’s
Markets and local produce centres will
make your mouth water and easy to get to
‘out of town’ shopping centres have all the
big names.

Mumbles has a different pace … you could

spend the whole day browsing (fortified by
the lovely cafés and coffee shops!).

www.visitswanseabay.com/food

28
Bwyd blasus gan bobl go iawn
Real food from real people

© Crown copyright (2009)

Visit Wales

Ymwelwch â marchnadoedd ffermwyr a siopau

fferm i gwrdd â’r brodorion!
Visit farmers’markets and farm shops to meet the locals!

Cynnyrch o safon o siopau fferm, marchnadoedd ffermwyr, cynlluniau bocsys ac ar-lein

Quality produce direct from farm shops, farmers’markets, box schemes and on-line
www.fforchifforc.org.uk www.fork2fork.org.uk

visitswanseabay.com 29
 Getting About
Easy peasy. Swansea Bay, at the heart of South
Wales, is easily reached by motorway, express
coaches and high speed train links.
When you arrive, park your car, and become
an explorer! Go by bus or on foot. The area
operates a Park & Ride scheme from three
sites; Landore, Fforestfach and Fabian Way
(A483), with frequent services to and from the
City Centre.
And now you can go 'Walking by Bus' with
our short circular walks linked to bus routes.
There are 5 'Walking by Bus' leaflets (including
Worm's Head and Llanmadoc). You can pick
them up from Swansea Tourist Information
Centre or download them from
visitswanseabay.com/walkingbybus
First Cymru, the Gower Explorer and Lliwlink
networks provide bus services to all parts of
the area, including most parts of Gower.
The ftrmetro bus is servicing Swansea City
Centre, Liberty Stadium, Morriston and
Swansea University.
For further information about travelling to
or within Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower,
call Traveline Cymru ( 0871 200 2233 or visit
www.travelinecymru.info

This publication is available in

alternative formats. Contact the
Tourist Information Centre for
further details, (01792 468321.
30
 Arriving by train or
coach and need to get
around Swansea Bay?

Coming by car and want

a break from driving
while you’re here?
Travelling to or around
Swansea Bay by public
transport; it’s all at

www.baytrans.org.uk

Image credits and copyrights

©Crown Copyright (2010) Visit Wales -
Cover, Pennard golf, Surfing.
Pony trekking; p8, surfers; p13.

The Council of the City & County of

Swansea cannot guarantee the accuracy of
the information in this brochure and accepts no
responsibility for any error or
misrepresentation, liability for loss,
disappointment, negligence or other damage
caused by the reliance on the information
contained in this brochure unless caused by
the negligent act or omission of the Council.

Please check and confirm all details before

booking or travelling.
Finding Out
Swansea Tourist
Information Centre
Plymouth Street,
Swansea SA1 3QG
(01792 468321
tourism@swansea.gov.uk
visitswanseabay.com
Open all year

Other TICs
Mumbles (01792 361302
*info@mumblestic.co.uk
Open all year
Aberdulais (01639 636674
*aberdulaistic@nationaltrust.org.uk
Open all year (November to March,
weekends only)

National Trust Visitor Centre

Coastguard Cottages, Rhossili, Gower,
Swansea SA3 1PR
(01792 390707
Shopmobility
Unit 12, St. Davids Sq, Swansea SA1 3LG
(Due to relocate September 2010)
(01792 461785
Coastguard
(01792 366534
Published by the City & County of
Swansea © Copyright 2010

City and County of Swansea

Dinas a Sir Abertawe
 Finding Out
Swansea Tourist
Information Centre
Plymouth Street,
Swansea SA1 3QG
(01792 468321
Arriving by train or tourism@swansea.gov.uk
coach and need to get visitswanseabay.com
around Swansea Bay? Open all year

Coming by car and want

a break from driving Other TICs
while you’re here?
Mumbles (01792 361302
Travelling to or around *info@mumblestic.co.uk
Swansea Bay by public Open all year
transport; it’s all at
Aberdulais (01639 636674
www.baytrans.org.uk *aberdulaistic@nationaltrust.org.uk
Open all year (November to March,
weekends only)
Image credits and copyrights
©Crown Copyright (2010) Visit Wales - Cover; National Trust Visitor Centre
Aberdulais Falls, Oystermouth Castle. Family on Coastguard Cottages, Rhossili, Gower,
beach; p6. Swansea SA3 1PR
(01792 390707
The Council of the City & County of
Swansea cannot guarantee the accuracy of Shopmobility
the information in this brochure and accepts no Unit 12, St. Davids Sq, Swansea SA1 3LG
responsibility for any error or (Due to relocate September 2010)
misrepresentation, liability for loss, (01792 461785
disappointment, negligence or other damage
caused by the reliance on the information Coastguard
contained in this brochure unless caused by (01792 366534
the negligent act or omission of the Council.

Please check and confirm all details before

booking or travelling. Published by the City & County of
Swansea © Copyright 2010