Living In Swansea Bay

Looking for real quality of life? Swansea Bay has a unique mix of country, coast, and city life.

A vibrant and dynamic waterside city

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. Here you have a pulsing, friendly city with a vibrant and varied cultural scene, whose centre is just a 10 minute stroll from a five mile stretch of golden, sandy beach. In fact the coast, which is at the heart of Swansea Bay living, boasts more than 50 named beaches and coves. With rolling countryside only ever a short drive away, the wonderful co-location of coast and countryside means that there are endless opportunities to get active.

In the heart of the city shopping centre is Swansea market – the largest indoor market in Wales - where you can sample the bounty of the land and sea - try the fresh cockles sold at the central stalls or welsh cakes hot off the griddle.  

Swansea's shopping experience is enhanced by the host of independent shops trading alongside high profile stores – and with a massive redevelopment programme in the pipeline, retail therapy can only get bigger and better!

Dip your toe in the 50m Olympic sized Wales National swimming pool or take the plunge in Swansea’s new £32 million leisure centre, the LC, which includes an indoor water-park with a dedicated artificial wave for trying out the surf, indoors! Lessons on the Waverider are available  through Surf GSD.

Join the crowds and head to the 20,000 seater Liberty Stadium, home to Swansea City F.C. and the Ospreys regional rugby team, as well as being a venue for concerts by international artists, such as The Who and Elton John. Concerts planned for 2010 at the Liberty Stadium include P!nk - 'The Funhouse Summer Carnival Tour', which arrives on Wednesday, 23rd June.

For culture vultures, the city boasts a wide range of museums, galleries and inspirational attractions, including the award-winning National Waterfront Museum, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea Grand Theatre and the Dylan Thomas Centre – celebrating the life of one of Swansea Bay’s most famous sons.

If it's city living that you're after, Swansea offers homes from Victorian housing to waterside flats, with many new developments underway. If you prefer to be out of the city, you’ll find plenty of pretty villages and market towns full of character.

Around 18,500 students currently call Swansea their home. Students are based either at Swansea University – one of the best student experiences according to the Times Higher Education Supplement  – or at Swansea Metropolitan University the UK's newest university.

After the sun sets, there's a choice of evenings out, whether its big beats, bright lights and partying till dawn, fine wines in plush surroundings, flirting with lady luck at the casino or whiling the night away in a cosy pub, Swansea Bay has it. The choice, as they say, is yours...

Miles and miles of outstandingly beautiful sandy coastline…

The 32 miles of coastline around Swansea and the Gower Peninsula is stunning with some awesome scenery and offers over 50 named beaches and coves – and that’s before you head west to sample Carmarthenshire’s golden gems or east to fun filled Aberavon beach!

And it’s not just the locals that think so – the whole area has been lavished with awards and recognition for its wonderful beaches and the excellent water quality here.

Three Cliffs Bay reached the finals of ITV’s Britain’s Best View – championed by Three Cliffs Bay fan, opera star and local girl Kathryn Jenkins!

Worm’s Head at Rhossili has been voted “the most romantic place to see a sunset in the UK” by readers of Country Living Magazine. But if you’re looking for real exhilaration, Llangennith beach is recognised as one of the UK’s premier surf spots.

Further west into Carmarthenshire, is Cefn Sidan Beach at Pembrey – one of Europe’s longest beaches – so long, in fact, that at the furthest tip at Pendine was once used for land speed record attempts!

Head east to Port Talbot and Aberavon seafront, where kids will love the aquasplash playground or cycling along the promenade.

Whether paddling, swimming, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, snorkelling, diving, jet-skiing, kite surfing, running, walking, picnicking or even just stopping, sitting and relaxing (phew!)...there will be a beach for it!

Activity rich and inspirational countryside

The sheer physical beauty of Swansea Bay’s natural countryside is breathtaking. Just minutes away from every village, town and even the city of Swansea itself, lies a rural environment giving you the chance to be at one with nature.

Be inspired by the region’s many parks and gardens. Take a stroll around Wales’ National Botanic Gardens or the rediscovered gardens at Aberglasney, both in Carmarthenshire.

View the wonderful floral displays at Swansea’s Singleton Park and Clyne Gardens, or just wander around historic Margam Park, with its rich heritage and cultural past, home to Wales's best deer herd and the magnificent 18th Century Orangery.

There are so many ways to enjoy this fantastic environment – including outdoor pursuits centres with experts who can help equip and teach you! So much to choose from….. horse riding, rock climbing, fishing, golfing, walking, bird watching and cycling to name a few. Of course, you could always just relax in this fresher place to live and work. 

If pedal power is your thing you will be spoilt for choice. Clear your head on rural lanes through the lush Gower countryside, on cross country sections of the National Cycle Network or along the dedicated cycle paths such as at the Millennium Coastal Park in Llanelli.

With over 60 miles of singletrack mountain bike heaven on offer, internationally renowned Afan Forest Park, lets you tackle world class mountain-biking trails and tracks...feel the adrenaline rush and leave the stresses of life behind.

Prefer two feet to two wheels? Walkers will be thrilled by the diversity of the region. Marvel at the glacial lakes of the Black Mountains in Carmarthenshire, part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Wander through the Vale of Neath and be dazzled by its spectacular waterfalls. Explore Swansea Bay...you never know when you might come across one of the area’s many ancient monuments.

Come to Swansea Bay - Come to Life!