Are you visiting our meeting space in Swansea? Why not make the most of your visit and explore some of the wonderful things Swansea has to offer…
Occupying a beautiful coastal location, Swansea offers some of the best tourist attractions in Wales. With its magnificent beaches, rich history, stunning scenery and buzzing nightlife, it’s easy to see why over four million visitors flocked to Wales second largest city, and the surrounding area, last year. We’ve pulled together a few of our favourite places in and around Swansea to help you make the most of your visit to this Welsh gem.
Swansea for nature lovers
The South Wales coastline is famed for its stunning scenery and world class beaches, of which Swansea has more than its fair share.
Gower Peninsular
Sitting just a short drive from Swansea city centre, the awe-inspiring Gower Peninsular is a feast for the senses. Crammed with pretty woodland, award-winning beaches and dramatic landscapes, the coastline was designated an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ in 1956. It has retained all the charm that won it the accolade ever since. The Gower Peninsular has something to please everyone, with sunbathers, families and hikers mingling happily with the hordes of surfers who descend on the area each year to sample some of the best waves Britain has to offer.
Mumbles
Acting as the gateway to the magnificent Gower Peninsular coastline, Mumbles, or The Mumbles, is a bustling seaside village that personifies all that makes South Wales unique. The area is steeped in history, with the captivating 12th century Oystermouth Castle taking pride of place in the village and the Victorian pier still standing proud, providing locals and visitors with some good old-fashioned seaside fun.
For those in search of a spot of retail therapy, Mumbles has you covered. High-end boutiques rub shoulders with quirky independents to deliver a truly memorable shopping experience. When you’ve shopped ‘til you drop, you can refuel at one of the outstanding eateries and sample some of the locally sourced seafood, much sought after by restaurants around Europe.
Swansea for culture vultures
Despite losing its bid to be the 2021 City of Culture, Swansea has many cultural attractions to offer. The streets are adorned with murals and public art, and there are enough museums and galleries to satisfy even the most zealous of culture vultures.
Swansea Grand Theatre
Opened in 1897, Swansea Grand Theatre provides patrons with a wide programme of shows, ranging from West End plays to local productions, ballet and comedy. Situated in the heart of the city, a trip to the theatre is a perfect way to immerse yourself in the history of Swansea, whilst enjoying world class entertainment.
Dylan Thomas Birthplace
Swansea is the birthplace of several notable cultural icons, including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Harry Secombe and Ian Hislop. Probably the most famous of all of them is the celebrated Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, born in the Uplands area of Swansea in 1914. The house where he was born and wrote most of this work is now a charming living museum dedicated to keeping his memory alive.
Swansea for history buffs
Founded in the early 12th century and becoming a city in 1969, Swansea has a rich and diverse history. From the highs of its elevation to a leading Global port during the Industrial Revolution to the lows of the German bombings that destroyed the city centre during the Second World War, each chapter in Swansea’s history has played its part in creating the fascinating modern city we know today.
Swansea Castle
Whilst somewhat overshadowed by the neighbouring buildings of the city centre, the remains of this Medieval fortress are a treasure trove of history hidden in plain sight. Look out for the square tower where prisoners were held, see if you can find the holes from where the gunners would take aim, and keep an eye out for the long slits used by the archers to fire arrows through.
National Waterfront Museum
This free attraction in the Swansea Marina takes visitors on a tour of Wales’ industrial and maritime past. Fully interactive, you can make the experience your own as you explore the 15 themed galleries, each covering a different part of Wales’ story. With a year-round programme of events and exhibitions, the museum is a must-do for anyone visiting Swansea.
Summary
Nestled along the beautiful South Wales coastline, Swansea’s blend of history, culture, and natural beauty gives the city a distinctive personality that is difficult to find elsewhere. Its rare mix of the old and the new, the coastal and the urban, provides visitors with a diverse, unique city break that’s hard to beat.
