A Visitor's Guide to Swansea

Llanelli

elizabethmorgan — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:50:02 +0000

Travel in the opposite direction to the above to Llanelli. 3/4 hr from Swansea. A small market town witha cattle market held once a month.

Places to visit.

Millennium Coastal Park.

The park links a number of attractions together ; Pembrey Country Park, Cefn Sidan Beach, The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and Parc Howard Museum.

St Elli Shopping Centre and Indoor Market.

Plenty of choice for everyone
An abundance of fresh, local produce.

Pembrey Country Park.

An award winning beach.
Dry ski slope and toboggan run.
Train ride.
Adventure playground.
Crazy golf.
Visitor centre and cafe.

Hotels.

Stradey Park Hotel.

Central location.
Very well known, particularly popular with the Rugby fraternity!

The Ashburnham Hotel.

1st Class Restaurant.
Very popular for wedding receptions.
Function Room.
Adjacent to the Golf Course.

Travel.

From Swansea, exit junction 47. Bus; Services 17, x13,x14, 110-112, 404.

Neath and Port Talbot Areas

elizabethmorgan — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:45:14 +0000

Within 1/2 hour of Swansea, you can arrive at the Vale of Neath.Here you will find a richness and diversity of waterfalls within such a small area. The Melincourt and Aberdulais falls are the most well known.

Places to visit.

Afan Forest Park.

Home to 10 waymarked walks and is officially the venue of one of Britain’s best mountain biking trails. Take a stroll through mature woodlands or visit the South Wales Mining Museum.

Photo courtesy of Simon Davies

National Trust Aberdulais Falls.

The industrial heritage of this area dates back to 1584 when copper was first manufactured. It is also the site of Europe’s largest electricity-generating water wheel

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/harry_s/

Neath and Tennant Canal.

Experience working the lock gates and walk through tree lined routes as you navigate this example of the industrial revolution.

Cefn Coed Colliery Museum

See a magnificent steam winding engine and a fascinating display of mining tools and equipment.

Travel.

By Bus: Service No’s X5,158,159 from Swansea Quadrant bus station.

Port Talbot is situated approx 3/4 hour travel time from Swansea. A small town compared to Swansea, but still with some places of interest.

Places to visit.

Margam Park.

Set in magnificent countryside with spectacular views.
Childrens Fairytale land and adventure playground.
Margam train.
18th century Orangery and Gothic Mansion.

Travel

Junct’n 38 off M4.
Bus: X 1from Swansea Quadrant Bus station.

Gnoll Estate country park.

200 acres of beautiful country park to explore.
Lakeside visitor centre with cafe.

Travel.

10 mins from M4, Junct’n 43.
bus: X1 from Swansea Quadrant Bus Station.

The Gower Peninsula

elizabethmorgan — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:43:43 +0000

There are many places of interest to visit within travelling distance of Swansea.

The Gower Peninsula

188sq km of magnificent scenery including beautiful beaches, rugged coastlines, unspoiled woodlands and 383 km of public rights of way. Tourism is extremely popular within the penninsula with a wide range of accomodation available, from campsites to first class hotels. So special are the qualities of Gower, that in 1956, it was designated as the UK’s very first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. ( ANOB)

Travel.

By Car : Exit the M4 @ jct 42,follow the brown tourist signs to Gower.
By Train : Destination, Swansea High St. Taxi or Bus to Quadrant Bus Station.
By Bus:From Quadrant bus station, catch the Gower Explorer, from Bays 3 And 4, or No’s 115-118 depending on destination.
Pick up a pocket guide from the travel office adjacent to the bus station.
For bus travel information : tel :0871 200 22 33, or visit www.traveline-cymru.org.uk.

FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION OR ENQUIRES CONTACT;

SWANSEA TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE, TEL; 01792 468321.

PLYMOUTH ST, SWANSEA. SA1 3QG.

tourism@swansea.gov.uk www.visitswanseabay.com

Gower by bus route

pprice — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:32:46 +0000

The Quadrant bus station. Swansea has various buses travelling around the Gower coast. It also has little pocket time tables which are very handy for light travelers.

They also run trips to local markets. There is part of the Quadrant pick up areas for airport travel which are all run by friendly staff.

The buses for the Gower Coast includes Llangennith, Pennard Cliffs and Rhossili and many more. Your family or friends will enjoy your holidays without the stress of driving.

Departures			Weekdays			Sundays & BHM
Time	Service	Days	Time	Service	Days	Time	Service	Days
0750	118	M-Sa	1410	118	M-Sa	0830	118	SBH*
0910	118	M-Sa	1510	118	SSH	0940	114	SBH*
1010	118	M-Sa	1530	118	Sch	1130	118	SBH
1110	118	M-Sa	1640	118	M-Sa	1310	118	SBH
1210	118	M-Sa	1750	118	M-Sa	1530	118	SBH
1310	118	M-Sa	1935	118	M-Sa	1710	118	SBH

Rhossili Church

Rhossili church is situated upon the cliff top in the village. It was originally built during the 6th Century by the Anglo-Normans some time before 1150, at the bottom of the cliff but during the 13th century there was a huge storm which hit the west coast of Gower with gales of rain, wind which covered the church with sand. There is some documents in earlier charts that Rhossili is dedicated to St. Cynwal.

: Rhossili Church

Photo copyright by Stella Elphick

http://www.explore-gower.co.uk/Content/pid=52.html

Swansea to get a wider appreciation of events

kdraisey — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:25:33 +0000

The erection of an extra-large television screen in the centre of Swansea, is already under starters orders. The eight and a half metre wide screen will soon become an integral part of the city at Castle Square.

http://flickr.com/photos/worldmegan/

The screen will be available for viewing, for up to 16 hours a day, and its audience will be able to see a feast of wide-ranging programmes, which will include sporting events such as The Olympic Games, live international football and rugby, as well as a host of community activities featuring charities and art groups.

In fact, it has been confirmed by the local press, that the BBC intends bankrolling the project , that will see a number of these super-screens installed in cities, across the length and breadth of the UK.

www.thisisswansea.co.uk

VERDI’S ICECREAM PARLOUR,MUMBLES

elizabethmorgan — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:45:13 +0000

Verdi’s is situated in Mumbles on the Promenade, overlooking the bay. It offers a mouthwatering selection of icecreams, sundaes and sorbets in any flavour you want! They specialise in authentic pasta and pizza dishes, many of which are prepared to a high standard of traditional family recipes. You can also sample open sandwiches, bagettes and jacket potatoes Verdi’s is included in:

“ THE ALL SEASONS GOURMET CATERERS FOR SWANSEA” .

Verdi’s is a family run restaurant, and are proud to be able to boast that all their chefs have” FIVE STAR RATINGS” . It’s a combination of the icecream parlour, cafe and a licenced restaurant. It’s open the whole year round with ample seating inside and out.

After a leisurely stroll along the promenade, why not pay a visit to Verdi’s and relax in the tranquil ambiance and very nice surroundings.

In the summer, sit outside with your coffee and watch the world go by! Or simply “chill out” and enjoy the sea views. In winter, castoff the ”winter blues”, meet your friends and put the world to right!

Images used with permission of Verdi’s cafe, Mumbles.

Where to stay in Swansea/Mumbles

pprice — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:22:01 +0000

Swansea coastal road runs the full length of Swansea all the way to Mumbles and Blackpill. There are numerous Hotels and Guest Houses along this route with stunning views over the bays.

There is the Swansea to Mumbles train which has a lot of history plus some of the local public houses display some fantastic paintings of the old days.

There is a regular bus route from the Quadrant bus station which will take you to from Swansea to Mumbles and Gower areas also in information you can pick up leaflets on places to visit and what entertainment is available.

Gower Explorer which connects most parts of the Gower. The route map is available by clicking here.

There is also a new library in Swansea County hall on Oystermouth Road were you can have access to go on computers and visit the google website to look up sites where you are going to visit.

Photo by Melilotus

Swansea City is full of hustle and bustle with a good access to local sights hope you visit soon.

A Days Shopping In Swansea.

elizabethmorgan — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:02:21 +0000

Shopping in Swansea is a ladies paradise!. Anything from shoes and bags to the latest designer outfits and accessories.

Oxford Street is the hub of the shopping area with an extensive variety of stores.

There are many pubs and restaurants for you to relax after a busy day of “retail therapy”!

A visit to Swansea Market is a must! It claims to be the largest indoor market in Wales, where local traders offer a vast selection of fresh produce, mainly home grown. Also cards and gifts, flowers and plants confectionery fresh meat and much more!

: Swansea Market

Photo by Le Kizz

Take home a Welsh souvenir to remember your day and sample a Welsh delicacy of cockles and lavabread!

Your day won’t be complete without a visit to The Quadrant where you will find something for everyone, and there’s plenty of parking too!

: The Quadrant

Photo by Swansea Photographer
Copyright: Tyron Francis

A Night Out In Swansea.

pprice — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:35:01 +0000

The Grand Theatre is a great night out . Take in a show and visit the restaurant, for a meal in floodlights. For the younger generation there is Wind St which is known for its many bars and restaurants.

Hen and stag nights are often seen enjoying themselves, also you’ve got the Kingsway for the new Oceania which has a themed range of bars and dance floors which are of diffrent age groups.

There is also a wide variety of cuisine from all over the world. St Helen’s road, coming off the Kingsway has Indian and Chinese restaurants for all late night diners.

If you are looking for a cooked breakfast late morning then Sam’s cafe is the place to go, just off St Helen’s Road and for a real treat try Joe’s ice cream parlour, easy to spot from Sam’s. I am posting a map of some of the local areas I have written about.

Caswell & Langland Bays

kdraisey — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:36:57 +0000

Caswell and Langland bays are amongst the most prestigious holiday locations in the Swansea area. Their beaches are frequently inhabited by surfers, boating enthusiasts or people just out for a casual stroll with their dogs.
Over the years, Caswell has been an attractive little resort synonymous with family entertainment, including a number of wide-ranging activities. It also has a cafeteria with a friendly atmosphere and ample parking space for 50 to 60 vehicles.
Langland, on the other hand, is historically noted for being both more cosmopolitan and conservative . However, it remains a charming playground, with the Brasserie and adjacent golf course making it well worth a visit.

Picture by http://flickr.com/photos/samwebster/