About

The vibrant city of Swansea, with its unique position on the edge of a 5 mile sandy beach, its attractive Maritime Quarter and Marina, justly deserves its ‘Wales’ Waterfront City’ title.

Birthplace of Wales’ most famous poet Dylan Thomas, Swansea offers an enviable cultural scene and hosts a selection of exciting events throughout the year. Attractions include museums and art galleries, indoor and outdoor children’s activities and award winning parks and gardens. Learn more about the rich cultural and industrial heritage of the area at Wales’ oldest and newest museums; Swansea Museum and the National Waterfront Museum.

Have a go at indoor surfing and indoor rock climbing at the new LC leisure complex and waterpark, or just pamper yourself in the luxurious spa. Enjoy the compact city centre with its retail outlets - including the largest traditional covered market in Wales where you can try local specialities such as cockles and laverbread (a seaweed delicacy). As night falls a diversity of entertainment includes theatres, friendly bars, clubs and cinemas.

A few minutes away lies the picturesque seaside resort of Mumbles, with its Victorian pier, traditional ice-cream parlours and first-class restaurants. Browse Mumbles’ many speciality shops and boutiques, which sell everything from local pottery to Welsh love spoons.

Mumbles is known as the gateway to the Gower Peninsula - the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. See the awe-inspiring beauty that has captivated generations of visitors; the 19-mile long Peninsula comprises some of Wales' cleanest and most stunning beaches, including Rhossili, where you can enjoy the most spectacular view of the famous Worm's Head. Three Cliffs - claimed by many as one of the most scenic bays in Gower, and Llangennith which is one of the premier surf beaches in the UK. A true walker’s paradise, Gower offers miles and miles of coastal path linking secluded coves to vast sandy beaches. And of course it's not just about the coast. Inland Gower is teeming with flora and fauna you won't want to miss. Try the ‘Gower Way’ for a challenging trek across the Peninsula. For a different point of view, explore on horse back or even have a go at sky-diving!

HISTORY & CULTURE
The remains of the the Red Lady of Paviland confirm that people were living on the Gower since at least 22,000 BC. The Vikings and the Romans also made their presence felt in the area but by the 10th century the entire Swansea Bay area was under the dominion of the Kingdom of Deheubarth. After the Norman Conquest the Kingdom evolved into a Marcher Lordship and a turf and timber motte and bailey castle was erected in Swansea itself.

By the 1550s Swansea was already exporting coal from the south western tip of the coalfield. The success of Swansea's port meant that it was already experiencing economic immigration, steadily expanding the town that was clustered around the castle and was hemmed in by farmland. As the Industrial Revolution gathered pace and the potential of the South Wales coalfield was realised and exploited, Swansea grew into a major economic centre. As a result of urban expansion toll booths now demanded money for inter-city travel, leading to a Swansea based contribution to the Rebecca Riots in 1843. The burning of toll booths that year was reflective of growing civil unrest that spread from the working conditions in the mining industries. As uprisings in Merthyr Tydfil, and the spread of socialist doctrine fanned the flames of social justice, strikes became a regular feature of town life.

The cramped living conditions of workers precipitated the outbreak of several epidemics, most commonly cholera, which led to gradual reform. During the blitz Swansea was heavily targeted due to its prominent role in industry and infrastructure, reducing large swathes of the city to rubble.