Maritime Quarter

Wander around the Maritime Quarter and take in some of Swansea's proud heritage. Start by familiarising yourself with the life and works of the city's most famous son...Dylan Thomas.

The Dylan Thomas Centre, formerly the Guildhall, houses the permanent 'Man and Myth' exhibition, based on the largest collection of Dylan Thomas memorabilia in the world.  The centre also regularly hosts events, films and talks. 

Walk a few yards around the corner and you will find two of Swansea's most intriguing Museums: Swansea Museum and the National Waterfront Museum.
Swansea Museum the oldest museum in Wales (built in 1884), is a real treasure trove containing all kinds of historical artefacts from Swansea, Wales and all over the world ranging from an Egyptian mummy to a traditional Welsh kitchen.  It is easily recognisable by its neo-classical style and impressive columned frontage.

The National Waterfront Museum  tells the story of industry and innovation in Wales and Swansea over the last 300 years through interactive exhibits and more traditional displays.  The collections on display include maritime, transport, technology and retail artifacts.

If you fancy some fun and adventure then head to the LC  The LC leisure complex contains an indoor water park with a variety of pools and slides, a 30ft climbing wall and an indoor children's play area. It also contains the Boardrider, the world's first deep water standing wave machine.

Make your way through the marina towards the sea and you will come on to the promenade itself. From here you will see the prom snaking towards Mumbles.

Head west and you will come across the Civic Centre Here you will find the state-of-the-artLibrary  with thousands of books for you to discover as well as host of regular events. You can even delve into your family tree in theFamily History Centre (5) or explore the maritime and industrial history of the city at the West Glamorgan Archive Service.


As you leave the maritime quarter and head towards Mumbles you will pass Victoria Park, a beautiful urban park renowned for its striking bedding flowers, herbaceous borders and the Patti Pavillion, donated to the people of Swansea by Dame Adelina Patti.  Victoria Park is also home to a bowling green, tennis courts, skate ramp and a children's play area.

Also in the vicinity...Mission Gallery  and Attic Gallery  – get a taste of Swansea's contemporary art scene.

Dylan Thomas Theatre – take a look at the unique illustrated panels and discover more about Dylan Thomas's time as an actor with the Swansea Little Theatre.  This is also Swansea's only waterside theatre.

Tram shed  - containing memorabilia from the street trams of Swansea and the world famous Mumbles Train.

Floating Exhibits  - Lightship 91, known as 'Helwick', a tug boat called 'Canning' and the 'Olga', a Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter.  The 'Olga' is an important and rare survivor from a past time and is listed on the National Historic Ships Committee Core Collection list.

Swansea Marina  - a flotilla of boats, quirky cafes and great restaurants.
Photo Below The Patti Pavilion in Victoria Park
There is always something going on and plenty of things to do around Swansea and the city is extremely proud of its comprehensive calendar of local events and popular festivals. The highlight of the year is without doubt the Swansea Bay Summer Festival, which features many different events all through the summer and is regularly attended by more than 300,000 people throughout the period and offers carnivals, live music and more.

Also worth noting, the prestigious Swansea Festival of Music and Arts is held each year in the middle of October and has become one of the UK's largest music festivals, with concerts and solo performances in many of the city's central venues, including the Brangwyn Concert Hall. Further concerts are held all through the year in Swansea, including performances by the Welsh National Opera and also the highly regarded National Orchestra of Wales, together with theatrical events and shows at the city's Grand Theatre, Penyrheol Theatre and Dylan Thomas Theatre.

Swansea Good food Circle

 Restaurants’ / Bistros / Cafes’ / Tea Rooms…  

Restaurant with a view

Grape & Olive
The Tower, Maritime Quarter
Situated on the top floor of the tallest building in Wales, you can enjoy superb views across Swansea Bay. A mix of contemporary style with Mediterranean cuisine
Meridian Tower, 
Trawler Road, 
Swansea, 
SA1 1JW
Tel: 01792 462617

Swansea 2017 Calendar of Events

JANUARY
  • January Sales - throughout January, get ready for some serious bargains, as prices are slashed in many of the shops along Oxford Street, High Street and at the Quadrant Shopping Centre

FEBRUARY
  • Abertawe Festival for Young Musicians - early February, held an the Guildhall and featuring most types of music, including classical concerts, jazz and piano recitals

MARCH
  • St. David's Day / Mumbles Festival - early March, with a range of music, theatrical performances and many traditional Welsh festivities, celebrating the Patron Saint of Wales. Locals dress in national costume, wearing either a daffodil or leek

APRIL
  • Lord Mayor's Boules Tournament - late April / early May, local clubs compete at the Marina, all trying their best to win this popular annual event. In total, more than 100 players take part and the competition is based around the Captain Cat statue

MAY
  • Flower and Botanical Festivals - From May onwards, with various events around the city's parks, including the Botanical Garden at Singleton Park. In particular 'Clyne in Bloom' offers a host of colour when the gardens remain open from dawn to dusk, when the azaleas are blooming
  • Swansea Bay Summer Festival - from May to September, a huge selection of events take place around Swansea Bay and include seasonal summer processions, carnivals and music
JUNE
  • Swansea Festival of Transport - mid-June, held at the Recreation Ground and featuring free entry, over 400 different classic cars and many other vehicles, together with trade stands and sponsored events
JULY
  • Party in the Park - early July, part of the summer festival celebrations and based at Singleton Park, with many famous pop stars singing in this open-air concert
  • Tunetown / Fringe Festival - early July, free annual music event held at various venues around the city and based at Castle Square
  • Mumbles Raft Race - mid-July, a fun charity event always well-supported and appealing to all ages, with a rather diverse mixture of home-made rafts and other seaworthy vessels, racing across the sea and based around the Mumbles lighthouse
  • Gower Festival - mid-July, choir concerts and classical music are held at many of the area's churches and always draw large crowds
  • Swansea Maritime and Sea Shanty Festival - mid-July, celebrating Swansea's remarkable sea port and featuring many events with a strong nautical theme, including demonstrations and plenty of local ships


Photo Right Swansea Market at Xmas
Swansea is one cool place to party! With a dozen nightclubs located mainly along the legendary Kingsway pleasure zone .... hundreds of major pubs and wine bars with many centralised around the city's vibrant cafe quarter at Wind Street ..... and with a hundred cosmopolitan restaurants scattered throughout the city centre, Swansea is the confirmed fun capital of south west Wales! Across the bay at Mumbles, the great "Mumbles Mile"  of bars is the essential haunt for anyone on a pub "crawl". Scattered along this coastal stretch the Welsh and European beers flow at the same pubs once frequented by local poet Dylan Thomas

Be inspired by nature.Rural Swansea is perfect for a countryside escape with dog-friendly rambles across rolling countryside or miles of winding Coast Path. And don’t miss the Waterfall at Penllergare – it’s a must to put on your ‘Swansea Bay Moments’ to do list.  

Parks and Gardens

Cwmdonkin Park
Cwmdonkin Park is a beautiful park situated in the heart of the city. The park has recently benefitted from an extensive regenerationprogramme with funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund, Visit Wales and the City and County of Swansea. 

With the perfect blend of natural beauty and excellent facilities including a bowling green, children's play area, tennis court and walking trails, it's well worth a visit.  The park also has a popular events programme taking place throughout the year in partnership with the Friends of Cwmdonkin Park.   
Check out the list of events taking place!The park also boasts:Facilities
  • Bowling green
  • Children's play area 
  • 4 tennis courts 
  • Walking trails
  • Woodland
Outstanding features
A beautiful park with unique features and various references to Dylan Thomas, including a memorial stone which has lines from "Fern Hill".

Directions
Travelling out of the City Centre on Walter Road.  Turn right onto Glanmor Road, Uplands.  Take first right onto Park Drive.

Post code - SA2 0RA
Photo Below Clyne Gardens
Clyne Gardens
Clyne Gardens contains varied National Collections of plants set in beautiful parkland

Admission free
Internationally famous for its superb collections of Rhododendrons, Pieris and Enkianthus, the gardens offer a haven of tranquility, lush planting and interesting features. 
Our specialist parks are truly magnificent, blooming with rare species, national collections and famous annual displays. The prestigious parks with green flag status are a sanctuary for people from the hustle and bustle of city life. The gardens are truly spectacular all year round.

If yu want to explore the gardens at your own leisure why not follow our Clyne Gardens walk.
Photo Below Singleton Park
Singleton Botanical Gardens

The beautiful Botanical Gardens are based in the old walled garden of Singleton Park.  The gardens contain fine specimens of rare and exotic plants from around the world. They are at their most spectacular during August when a full programme of events, tours and demonstrations are staged during Botanics in Bloom.
The Botanical Gardens house one of Wales' premier plant collections, with spectacular herbaceous borders and large glasshouses. 

Although the gardens are at their most stunning in August, there is something to see throughout the year. The herbaceous borders are a fantastic sight from late March until mid October, and even during the harsh winter months the garden has lots to offer with up to 200 different plants having been seen in flower during the Christmas season.
As this garden is set within the tranquil surroundings of Singleton Main Park, it is a very relaxing place to come and browse or gain inspiration for your own garden.  There are plenty of places to sit and admire the delightful views.

Opening Times
September - Easter until 4.30pm 
  • Easter - July until 6.00pm
  • August until 8.00pm
Singleton Botanical Gardens are free to enter.  Parking can be found on Sketty Road (A4118) outside the park, or Blue Badge holders can park outside the main entrance to the Botanical Gardens.
01792 298637
Swansea Prom
Swansea Bay Rider Land Train

The Swansea Bay Rider is a 72 seater land train, which runs along Swansea promenade, from Blackpill Lido, Blackpill, to Southend Gardens, Mumbles, and gives passengers a spectacular view of the beautiful Swansea Bay.

Swansea Good food Circle

Growers & producers…

Photo Below Swansea Bay

Swansea 2017  Calendar of Events


  • August
  • Swansea MAS Carnival - early August, part of the summer festival celebrations, a colourful parade takes place between Walter Road and the Castle Square every year without fail
  • City of Swansea Show - mid-August, a huge summer show with many side stalls, displays, show and activities on offer, including horse jumping, sports events, arts and crafts, live music and even hot-air balloons
  • Pontardawe International Music Festival - mid-August, with marquees, street entertainment, dancing, folk music, rock concerts and many live performances, drawing crowds in excess of 40,000 people each year

SEPTEMBER
  • BBC Proms in the Park - early September, classical music and fireworks at Singleton Park, with many top headlining acts
  • Swansea Bay 10K Race and Fun Run - mid-September, various races with crowds of both runners and cheering spectators in aid of the Lord Mayor's Charity
  • Swansea Food Festival - late September / early October, with cookery demonstrations, traditional delicacies and many food stalls

OCTOBER
  • Swansea Festival of Music and Arts - mid-October, one of the biggest music festivals of its kind in the whole of the United Kingdom, with concerts and other live music events in many of the city's main entertainment venues, such as the Grand Theatre and also the Brangwyn Concert Hall
  • Cockles and Celts - mid-October, fun local festival celebrating the city's popular local seafood speciality, with a strong Celtic theme
  • Dylan Thomas Festival - late October/ early November, a prominent literature festival celebrating the life of famous Welsh poet and writer Dylan Thomas, who was born in Swansea in 1914 and is often associated with the city. The Dylan Thomas Festival lasts for around two weeks, attracting many local authors and including readings, workshops and more

NOVEMBER
  • Swansea Christmas Market - mid-November to mid-December, with a Victorian flavour, many decorated cabins offer a huge selection of gift ideas and seasonal treats, often with costumed traders
  • Christmas Green Fayre - late November, eco-friendly seasonal event held at the National Waterfront Museum and organised by the Swansea Friends of The Earth

DECEMBER
  • Pantomime - December to mid-January, seasonal family panto held at the Grand Theatre and always featuring a great cast, including many well-known celebrities