Swansea is Wales’ second city and the regional capital of South West Wales. Thriving and ambitious, it is an attractive waterfront city with big plans for the future.
Located on the 5 mile sweep of Swansea Bay, the city centre is just a 10 minute walk from these magnificent bay views, with the pleasure of a stroll through the Maritime Quarter and Marina to be enjoyed on the way. Take a deep breath and smell the fresh sea air!
Sample fresh local delicacies, cockles and laverbread, at Swansea Market – Wales’ largest indoor market! At the heart of the city centre and With stalls selling everything from local crafts to electrical goods and offering a stunning array of the freshest produce, much of which is grown or caught locally, it’s a buzzing, sensory experience enjoyed by visitors and locals alike.
The varied retail offer in Swansea is enhanced by the host of independent shops sitting alongside the high street names you would expect – and with a huge city centre redevelopment programme in the pipeline, retail therapy is only going to get bigger and better!
Out of town you’ll find boutique shopping at its best in Mumbles, with lots of trendy clothing, surf, gift and accessory shops. Or visit one of Swansea Bay’s out of town retail parks which offer high street names and supermarket superstores.
If you are spending time in Swansea, no doubt you’ll end up in Wind Street (appropriately pronounced ‘wine’ street). With a variety of restaurants and lively bars, this well known part of the city is a top choice for those who love a great night out and, for those who fancy a flutter, Aspers Casino. On the Kingsway you will find super club Oceana, an award winning leisure complex covering three floors. It’s the perfect place to eat, drink or dance the night away.
In Swansea Bay we love our ‘live’ music scene. From rock to modern jazz and country and western to the blues - in dedicated clubs, namely Swansea Jazz Land, cool pubs like the Uplands Tavern or hip cafés such as Monkey Café – you’ll be truly spoilt for choice. There are also plenty of theatre venues to catch live performances, such as Swansea Grand Theatre and the Taliesin Arts Centre, while the Brangwyn Hall plays host to high calibre orchestras and choirs.
Cultural gems within Swansea Bay include a plethora of public and independent galleries, (some with internationally renowned reputations) cooperatives, studios, workshops and exhibitions. The Glyn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea is a real gem containing traditional and modern art, sculpture and installations, work by Old Masters as well as modern artists.
Head towards the Swansea’s Maritime Quarter where you will find lots to see and do. The National Waterfront Museum tells the story of Wales’ development as a nation. The Museum is free to visit and has created an important visual impression on the skyline.
The Dylan Thomas Centre, a permanent exhibition to a great poet provides a café and a bookshop (of course!). Nearby, Swansea Museum, the oldest in Wales, houses everything from an Egyptian mummy to a Welsh kitchen.
Naturally, there are a multitude of other activities to entertain you. You could dip your toe in the 50m Olympic sized Wales National swimming pool or take the plunge in Swansea’s £32 million leisure centre, the LC, which includes an indoor water-park with a dedicated artificial wave for trying out the surf… indoors!
Or join the crowds and head to the 20,000 seater Liberty stadium, which is home to Premier league side Swansea City F.C. and the Ospreys regional rugby team as well as being a venue for concerts by internationally renowned artists, such as The Who and Elton John.
The most accessible Gower beaches from the city centre are; Bracelet Bay - an award-winning sandy cove with pebbles and rock pools; Langland Bay - a superb stretch of sandy beach and extremely popular with sun and water-sports enthusiasts, (look out for its landmark beach huts!); Limeslade and Caswell Bays - both simply beautiful.
As the sun sets, whatever kind of night out you want, whether its big beats, bright lights and partying till dawn, fine wines in plush, contemporary surroundings, flirting with lady luck at the casino or whiling the night away in one of the areas cosy inns and pubs, Swansea Bay can offer it. The choice, as they say, is yours…
