Swimming
Langland
Many of the bays on the Gower Peninsular are great for swimming. However, the most popular are the sandy bays of Langland and Caswell. Both these beaches are under seasonal lifeguard supervision, offer changing and toilet facilities and are in easy reach of the city center.
The LC
Maritime quarter, (http://www.thelcswansea.com/). a cutting edge leisure complex that includes a wave making machine, hydro-slide, artificial beach, children's paddling area, europe's only indoor surfing center and the world's first uphill water slide. lc offers an excellent rainy-day alternative to a day at the beach. open: mo-fri 6:30am-10pm, sa-su 8am-9pm.
Welsh National Pool
Welsh National Pool, Sketty Lane near the university. Tel:+44 1792 513-513. (http://www.walesnationalp...) - Serious swimmers will enjoy the waters of this Olympic size pool.
Cycling
The River Tawe Trail
Runs along the banks of the river tawe - passing through a former industrial area that has been reforested, skirts the liberty stadium, a business district and finally heads out to the swansea valley.
Swansea is connected to the National Celtic Cycling Trail, and there are four main routes in city.
The Jersey Marine and Fabian Way Trail
Traces the main road into the city center from the east - few special sites of interest, it passes the jersey marine tower and offers views of the heavy industrial plants in baglan bay and port talbot.
The Promenade Trail
Runs along swansea bay foreshore to the sea-side suburb of mumbles - it passes through the marina and offers stunning views over swansea bay. on a sunny day, with the blue water lapping at the side of the promenade, cycling along this trail must be the nearest thing to poetry in motion.
The Clyne Valley Trail
Runs through clyne country park to the north gower coast, where it rejoins the national celtic cycle trail - the first part of the trail passes through a forested area, then meanders through sprawling suburbs before reaching the loughor estuary near loughor. this trail leads from the promenade trail at blackpill a child's paddling area marks the site
Bikes can be rented at the following city center stores:
Cycle Centre, 10 Wyndham Street. Tel:+44 1792 410-710 closed Sunday
Action Bike, St. David's Square. Tel:+44 1792 464-640 open seven days and will deliver bike to hotel free of charge
Mountain biking
Kilvey hill has a dedicated downhill run and several other trails for the mountain bike enthusiast.
Children's activities
Swansea Bay Rider
The Swansea Bay Rider. A colorful children's land train runs throughout the summer along the promenade from the St. Helen's Stadium to Southend Gardens, Mumbles.
Chocolate factory
The kingsway, swansea west industrial park. tel:+44 1792 561-617, fax:+44 1792 561-619, e-mail:[email protected]. (http://www.michton.com). enter the world of willy wonka at swansea's own chocolate factory. there are organised tours for schools and members of the public, during which the process of turning cocoa into everyone's favorite snack is explained, and plenty of samples are available to try. in addition, there is a a factory shop where souvenirs can be purchased. reservations are necessary to guarantee admission.
Rowing and crazy golf
A boating lake and crazy golf course located between the junction of sketty lane and mumbles road and the entrance to swansea university.
Universities/institutes of higher education
Swansea University
(http://www.swan.ac.uk/) has student population approaching 20,000, and for the past few years has been the successive winner of 'the times' award for the best student experience in the uk (http://www.swan.ac.uk/int...). the university is also listed as one of the top 500 universities in the world.
Swansea Metropolitan University.
(http://www.sihe.ac.uk/). located at several campuses throughout the city, smu is famous for its courses in stained glass design (http://www.agc.org.uk/) and digital media (http://www.sihe.ac.uk/sih...).
Water sports
Swansea Watersports
The pilot house, pilot wharf, swansea marina, tel:+44 7989 839-878, email: [email protected], (http://www.swanseawatersp...). offers training in the following activities at various locations around the gower peninsula: powerboating, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, first aid and sea survival.
Mumbles Yacht Club
Southend, mumbles. tel:+44 1792 369-321, (http://www.mumblesyachtcl...).
Swansea Yacht and Sub Aqua Club
South dock, pumphouse, east burrows road, marina. tel:+44 1792 469-096. (http://www.sysac.org.uk/).
The calm waters of Swansea Bay and Oxwich Bay are ideal for watersports such as skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, dinghy sailing and Power boat training - Contact:
Bay Watersports
Seafront at the slip near st. helens stadium. tel:+44 1792 534-858 (http://www.baywatersports...). lessons in windsurfing and kayaking on swansea bay. may to october, seven days a week.
Watersports 4 All
Bishopston, tel:+44 1792 234-502, e-main [email protected] (http://www.watersports4al...).
Some of the best surfing spots in the UK are in Swansea, with Llangenith, Caswell and Langland bays being the most popular - contact:
Mumbles Motor Boat and Fishing Club
The pier, mumbles, swansea, sa3 4en, tel:+44 1792 363832.
Langland Board Riders
19 croftfield crescent, newton, tel:+44 1792 386-104.
See also "LC" listed under Swimming.
Movie theaters
Multi-screen
In parc tawe odeon (http://www.odeon.co.uk/fanatic/film_times/s19/swansea_formerly_uci/) and at salubrious place at the bottom end of princess way vue (http://www.myvue.com/cinemas/index.asp?ci=68).
Quality mainstream, independent and world film
At taliesin art centre, swansea university campus. tel:+44 1792 602-060. (http://www.taliesinartsce...)
Live music
The Chattery
59 uplands cresent, uplands. tel:+44 1792 473-276 - alt-country/americana - attracts mostly student crowd.
Monkey Cafe
13 castle street. tel+44 1792 480-822 - cosmopolitan and eclectic venue - great views of swansea castle from plush leather sofas - live music upstairs.
Milkwoodjam
50 plymouth street. tel:+44 1792 477-577 (http://www.milkwoodjam.com) - live music venue, cafe/bar and recording studio.
Bars and cafes that provide life music:
Cafe Smooth
National waterfront museum. tel:+44 1792 456-100 (http://www.coffeecesso.com/) - large bohemian style cafe - great views over marina - huge selection of coffees and teas - jazz/poetry readings.
No Sign Bar
56 wind street. tel:+44 1792 465-300 - a watering hole that dates back to the 18th century - relaxed atmosphere and good food - generally 40s+ crowd.
Swansea Jazzland
St. james social club, st. james crescent, uplands. tel:+44 1792 466-535 (http://www.swanseajazzlan...) - jazz, jazz and more jazz
Uplands Tavern
42 uplands crescent, uplands. tel:+44 1792 458-242 (http://www.uplandstavern....) - rock and folk - attracts student crowd.
Taliesin Arts Centre
Swansea university. tel:+44 1792 602-060 (http://www.taliesinartsce...) - music from across the globe, including high profile jazz artists and other musicians of international acclaim.
Sailing
Sailing lessons are available at several training schools in the Swansea area:
Euphoria Sailing
34 eastlands park, bishopston. tel:+44 1792 234-502. (http://www.euphoriasailin...)
Spectator sport
Cricket
Swansea is one of the home locations of the glamorgan county cricket club (http://www.glamorgancrick...), one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the english and welsh domestic cricket league. glamorgan play at the st. helen's stadium.
Rugby
Swansea is home to two major rugby union teams: 1. the ospreys (http://www.ospreysrugby.com/) a profession team playing in the celtic league and competing for the edf energy, heineken and european challenge cups. the ospreys play at the liberty stadium. 2. swansea rfc also known as the 'all whites', a semi-professional team playing in the welsh premier league. the all whites play at the st. helen's stadium.
Swansea Bay Rally
(http://www.swanseabayrall...) a major event in the uk rally calendar. held annually in summer at locations near swansea.
Cruises
paddle steamer
The historic ship MV Balmoral runs day trips to Ilfracombe in North Devon and cruises around the Gower coast - summer only. The paddle steamer Waverley runs similar trips, but less frequently. Certain journies continue on to Lundy Island. Starting point- Swansea Ferry Port. (http://www.waverleyexcurs...) Tel:+44 845 130-4647.
Euphoria Sailing Ltd
Euphoria Sailing Ltd, Tel:+44 1792 234-502. E-mail: [email protected] (http://www.euphoriasailin...) - motor boat and yacht cruises around the Gower coast - starting points Swansea Marina or Oxwich Bay.
South Wales Cruising Company
Tel:44 7850681003. e-mail:[email protected] (http://www.southwalescrui...) - private cruises.
Gower Coast Adventures
Tel:+44 1792 540-386. (http://www.gowercoastadve...) - offers trips around the gower coast for up to twelve people on their ten meter sea serpent cruise boat.
Theatres
Grand Theatre
The Grand Theatre, Singleton Street. Tel:+44 1792 475-715 (http://www.swansea.gov.uk...). Swansea's largest theater, with everything from pantomime to opera.
Brangwyn Hall
The Brangwyn Hall, Guildhall complex, Victoria Park (http://www.swanseafestiva...). With it's stunning British Empire Panels, originally commissioned for the British House of Lords, this grandiose concert hall is the focus for the annual Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts - the second largest such festival in the UK.
Dylan Thomas Theatre
The Dylan Thomas Theatre, Maritime Quarter. Tel:+44 1792 473-238 (http://www.dylanthomasthe...). Home to the Swansea Little Theatre group - Where Dylan Thomas was an actor/member along with Catherine Zeta Jones..
Dylan Thomas Centre
The Dylan Thomas Centre, Maritime Quarter. Tel:+44 1792 463-980. Specializing in plays produced by the bard himself.
Taliesin Arts Centre
The Taliesin Arts Centre, University Campus, Singleton Park. Tel:+44 1792 602-060. (http://www.taliesinartsce...). This lively venue hosts a broad programme of events including cinema screenings, an average of ten visiting exhibitions per year, and a great variety of live performances, from dance and drama to jazz and world music. The emphasis at Taliesin is on quality and innovation.
Swansea Institute Theatre
Swansea institute campus, townhill road. tel:+44 1792 281-280. this theater is home to swansea based and internationally acclaimed volcano theater company (http://www.volcanotheatre...)
Walking
Swansea is a great place if you are into walking (http://visitswanseabay.co...). Here are a few easily accessible routes:
Swansea Marina to Mumbles Pier
About five miles of flat walking - great views over swansea bay.
Limeslade Bay to Caswell Bay
About three miles of cliff path walking - stunning scenery.
Bishopston Valley
About three miles of riverside walking, starting just below bishopston church - a peaceful and lush valley that spills out onto a storm beach. the return journey can be made over the cliff path to the left of the beach when facing the sea.
Golf
Clyne Golf Club
118-120 owls lodge lane, mayals (http://www.clynegolfclub.com/). tel:+44 1792 401-989
Fairwood Park Golf Club
Blackhills lane, upper killay (http://www.fairwoodpark.com/). tel:+44 1792 297-849
Morriston Golf Club
160 clasemont road, morriston (http://www.morristongolfc...). tel:+44 1792 796-528
Pennard Golf Club
2 southgate road, southgate. tel:+44 1792 233-131
Swansea has a number of excellent golf courses, many with spectacular sea views:
INCO Golf Club
Clydach tel:+44 1792841-257
Festivals
Dylan Thomas Festival
The dylan thomas centre, - held annually between 27 oct - 9 nov 2012. during these two weeks, the centre built to commemorate the works of thomas reverberates to the sound of his poems and plays. this is a must see event for fans of the bard. in addition, the festival hosts the awards' ceremony for the winner of the dylan thomas prize (http://www.thedylanthomas...) - a biannual writing competition for most outstanding literary talent in english, aged under 30.
Dylan Thomas Fringe
(http://www.dylanthomasfri...) - compliments the main events at the dylan thomas festival and is held at various venues throughout the city. 26 oct - 8 nov 2011
Gower Bluegrass Festival
Gower heritage centre, parkmill. 12 noon to 12 midnight, 9-10 september 2011. tel: +44 1792 371-206.
South Wales Boat Show
Sa1 waterfront. (http://www.southwalesboat...) 17-19 june 2011. touted as wales' largest boating event.
Wales National Airshow
Swansea bay. (http://www.walesnationala...) 09-10 july 2011. spectacular aeronautical displays led by the world famous red arrows.
World Party
Museum park, national waterfront museum. 27 aug 2011. celebrates the cultural diversity of swansea by showcasing world music, food and dance.
Swansea Bay Film Festival
Dylan thomas centre. (http://www.swanseafilmfes...). 7 may-15 may 2011. the uk's largest screening of indie films with catherine zeta jones acting as patron.
Autumn/Winter
Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts
(http://www.swanseafestiva...) 4-20 oct 2012. an annual october three week bash of culture at various locations in swansea, and the second largest such festival in the uk.
Swansea Bay Summer Festival is the umbrella term for a number of events occurring in the Swansea Bay area from May to September. Only the main festivals are listed below. For other events, check the official website: (http://www.swanseabayfest...)
Escape into the Park
Singleton park. (http://www.escapefestival.com/) and (http://www.youtube.com/wa...) 11 june 2011. mid-day to midnight. an annual pop and dance extravaganza held late summer. capacity 25,000. â£41:50.
Beyond TV International Film Festival
Dylan thomas centre (http://www.undercurrents....) - an annual festival of social and environmental themed films. 22-23 nov 2008
Winter Wonderland
(http://www.swanseachristm...). this event held next to the national waterfront museum includes stalls selling traditional christmas goods, a big wheel offering views over swansea bay and an ice rink. 18 nov 2011 - 8 jan 2012
Volunteer
Swansea Environment Centre
Old telephone exchange, pier street, marina behind the 5 star morgan's hotel on adelaide street. tel:+44 1792 480-200 (http://www.environmentcen...). the center organizes volunteer environmental work in the area - a great opportunity to meet local people and inject more purpose into your stay in swansea.
Swansea City Farm
2 pontarddulais road, fforestfach. tel:+44 1792 1792 578-384. e-mail: [email protected] (http://www.swanseacommuni...) directions: bus numbers 110, 111, 112 and x13 from city center to ivorite arms bus stop. a project that aims 'to provide a sustainable community farm which is stimulating and educational and offers enjoyable and safe activities.' everyone is welcome to contribute their energy and time to this on-going project call first.
English (as a second language)
English Study Centre
81 mansel street. tel:+44 1792 464-103. email: [email protected] (http://www.escwales.co.uk...). founded in 1979, this is the city's oldest language center.
City School of Languages
102 walter road. tel:+44 1792 459-615. (http://www.cityschoolofla...) in addition to english, the center also offers classes in several other languages.
Oaklands Educational Travel Services Ltd
30 oakland road, mumbles. tel:44 1792 539-184. email: [email protected]
Swansea
See Swansea and the Gower Peninsular from the air. Flights from Swansea Airport. Tel:+44 1792 208-933. (http://www.swansea-sport-...)
Swansea Tenpin Bowling
Parc tawe, the strand, swansea, sa1 2ax, tel: 0871 873 2450. tenpin is located next to an odeon multiplex. it features 26 tenpin bowling lanes and a amusement arcade, two pool tables, a wimpey burger bar and a drinks bar. (http://www.tenpin.co.uk/h...)
Swansea Indoor Bowls Stadium
Beaufort road, plasmarl, swansea, tel: +44 1792 771-728. the swansea bowls stadium is an international standard indoor bowling stadium which hosts the welsh international open, part of the world bowls tour, annually. the stadium features 6 bowling rinks with a function room and a bar.
driving
There are some wonderfully picturesque drives in Swansea. Below are a couple of popular ones:
City centre - Mayals - Bishopston - Caswell Bay - Langland Bay - Bracelet Bay - Limeslade Bay- Mumbles - city centre.
To start this drive, take the A4067 Mumbles Road from the city center and turn right onto B4436 Mayals Road. Follow road over Fairwood Common and take a left at Bishopston Village. From there, follow signs for the above places.
This drive takes in some beautiful coastal scenery. Recommended stops: Verdis cafe Mumbles, Swansea Bay sea front, Castellamare cafe Bracelet Bay sea front, and Mumbles Village see listing under 'See'.
City centre - Uplands - Killay - Parkmill - Reynolston - Rhossili - Llangeneth - Oldwalls - Killay - Uplands - city centre.
To start this drive, take A4118 through the bed-sit suburb of Uplands and then Killay. Finally, after leaving Upper Killay, the road passes through the heart of the Gower Penisular. Follow signs for the above places.
This drive passes through some quintessential British countryside and culminates at stunning Rhossili Bay. Recommended stops: Parkmill is the location of the Gower Heritage Centre, with its working water wheel, and Shepards' village store and cafe is a good place to take refreshment. Near the village of Reynolston, you can take a short detour onto Cefn Bryn to see Arthur's Stone see listing under 'See'. Also, in Reynolston is the beautifully renovated country inn, 'the King Arthur's Hotel', which is an excellent place for lunch. At Rhossili, there are tea houses, but the attraction here is definitely the stunning views.
As you drive along the beautiful country lanes with the smell of freshly cut grass pervading the air and the vista of a wide blue bay opening before you, the words of a famous Buddhist master - 'the journey is the goal' - will never ring truer!
Teamforce UK
Paintballing & activity centre, llangyfelach road, swansea, sa5 7pe. tel:+44 845 257 9381 (http://www.teamforceuk.com/)
Dryad Brushcraft
53 woodcote, killay. tel:+44 1792 547-213. email:[email protected] (http://www.dryadbushcraft...) - offers unique wilderness survival courses at various locations on the gower.