Swansea
September 16, 2008
Caswell Bay - Sandy half mile long bay beach, southwesterly facing, nestled behind the Mumbles headland. A wide expanse of sand backed by cliffs with a coastal path to Langland Bay. A very popular beach during peak season for bathers.
Swansea in south Wales' first settlement was a Norman castle in 1099 during the reign of William the Conqueror. The city developed as a major port for the south Wales coalfield from 1700. It is the 2nd largest city in Wales.
With its abundance of high quality coal, Swansea became the copper smelting capital of the world, producing nearly 65% of the worlds copper. When deposits dwindled, the raw copper was then imported from as far afield as Chile. With the number of sailors that had endured the journey around south America, they soon became known as the "Horners" and a pub near the docks is still called "The Cape Horner".
Swansea also claims the first ever passenger railway, the old Mumbles railway which skirted its way around Swansea bay but this was sadly dismantled in the 1960's.
Its Welsh name of Abertawe translates to 'settlement at the mouth of the river Tawe'.
Create a free TravBuddy account or login to leave comments, meet travelers, and share experiences with the TravBuddy travel community.
Excellent day out
Cefn-yr-Erw Primate Sanctuary is in the Swansea Valley in the lovely Brecon Beacons National Park area of South Wales. Formerly a traditional Welsh hill farm, the sanctuary now rescues and provides a home for many types of unwanted animals, especially primates, such as chimpanzees, baboons, spider monkeys, capuchins and marmosets .
Cefn-yr-Erw welcomes visitors to see the animals and the work we do. A number of them have come from zoos and laboratories and some have suffered mistreatment and deprivation in their earlier lives. As they are not equipped for survival in the wild we can only endeavour to make the rest of their lives as enjoyable and stress free as possible.
Cefn-yr-Erw welcomes visitors to see the animals and the work we do. A number of them have come from zoos and laboratories and some have suffered mistreatment and deprivation in their earlier lives. As they are not equipped for survival in the wild we can only endeavour to make the rest of their lives as enjoyable and stress free as possible.
|
|
Nice clean cafe
The compass cafe is a great little place to go for food (great vegetarian lasagne) and a coffee when visiting the Gower, Swansea. Its situated out in the sticks a bit and is a welcome rest stop while visiting. Its very clean and bright and the staff are very friendly and chatty. They serve many kinds of foods including jacket potatoes, ice creams and sandwiches. They do a great Latte. :D x
Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurant
Great restaurant in the centre of Swansea. Home cooked organic dishes, mainly Vegan & Vegetarian. Great little indian themed cafe with relaxation experience upstairs. They do a new special each day, nice desserts and take aways. Friendly staff.
Indoor Climbing wall
Dynamic Rock was Swansea's first indoor climbing wall and still is the biggest. Its a great activity for anyone who has never tried climbing, and great for keeping fit. All staff are fully trained to help and all equipment can be hired there so no worries just turn up!, theres also a coffee bar for people to sit and relax and watch you from above, which is cool.
|
|
Not that great!
Ok so I went to La Tasca, spanish restaurant for my new step mothers hen night. Being a vegetarian we were told that even though there was a set menu it included lots of vegetarian dishes. Altogether there were 50 people at this hen night (popular lady, my step mum!) and 4 of us were vegetarians. Well we were fighting for it! We run out of bread and the staff (who were very friendly) were told they couldnt give us more, we requested a few more vegetarian dishes and were told no. Plus its not exactly cheap! So althought im not rating this as bad, its bad for vegetarians and set meals!
All you could want under one big roof!
Forgive me for blowing my own trumpet here a bit - Swansea is my home town but I thought I'd let you know what to expect from this great market - personaly one of the best in the country.
The market is the large indoor type stocking everything from Fresh veg, fruit and fish to toys, clothing and home wares. Its central - 10 minutes walk from the station and a stones throw away from the bus station and the growing array of High St named shops.
The produce is almost all local - from the Gower peninsula and surrounding areas and always fresh. The various fish traders supply a list of different fish almost too numerous to mention, freshly caught such as Cod, Haddock, Hake, Trout, Sewin (Sea trout), flat fish, plaice, sole, snapper, mackerel, kippers, Shark, tuna,lobster, crab, scallops the list goes on and on, you name its here alongside the world's best cockels from Penclawdd and laverbread. Laverbread is an acquired taste but is SOOOOO good for you it should be listed as a superfood. Its made from sea weed, extremely high in vitamin C, B, iron, iodine etc and a superb immunity booster. So give it a try with some super farm cured bacon, cockles and fried bread all of which can be picked up from the local bakers, butchers.
There's even a barber and probably and candlestick maker tucked away inside so pop in and try it. There is a great market feel - don't be afraid to ask the friendly traders advice on their produce and the best way to serve it or accompaniments for a great meal.
Delicious Gower Potatoes, Salt Marsh Lamb, Faggots, peas, pies, pasties, Oggies, Welsh Cakes, game birds, rabbits and the famous Award winning Joe's ice Cream are all under one roof. Make sure you try the welshcakes in the centre, yum!
Make Up retailers, confectioners, pet supplies, haberdashers, carpets, Welsh Souveniers, chippies, snack bars, book stores, fashion accessories the list of small stores go on and on. All of the prices are reasonable and its a great place to pop in and stock up on the way to your weekend camping trip or weekend barbeque.
If you are staying nearby i.e. The Gower Peninsula or generaly anywhere in South Wales - give it a try. Its about 45 mins from drive from anywhere on the peninsula, Valley of Neath, Swansea Vale, 1 hour from Breconshire, Portcawl, Cardiff, Bridgend.
Come and visit!
The market is the large indoor type stocking everything from Fresh veg, fruit and fish to toys, clothing and home wares. Its central - 10 minutes walk from the station and a stones throw away from the bus station and the growing array of High St named shops.
The produce is almost all local - from the Gower peninsula and surrounding areas and always fresh. The various fish traders supply a list of different fish almost too numerous to mention, freshly caught such as Cod, Haddock, Hake, Trout, Sewin (Sea trout), flat fish, plaice, sole, snapper, mackerel, kippers, Shark, tuna,lobster, crab, scallops the list goes on and on, you name its here alongside the world's best cockels from Penclawdd and laverbread. Laverbread is an acquired taste but is SOOOOO good for you it should be listed as a superfood. Its made from sea weed, extremely high in vitamin C, B, iron, iodine etc and a superb immunity booster. So give it a try with some super farm cured bacon, cockles and fried bread all of which can be picked up from the local bakers, butchers.
There's even a barber and probably and candlestick maker tucked away inside so pop in and try it. There is a great market feel - don't be afraid to ask the friendly traders advice on their produce and the best way to serve it or accompaniments for a great meal.
Delicious Gower Potatoes, Salt Marsh Lamb, Faggots, peas, pies, pasties, Oggies, Welsh Cakes, game birds, rabbits and the famous Award winning Joe's ice Cream are all under one roof. Make sure you try the welshcakes in the centre, yum!
Make Up retailers, confectioners, pet supplies, haberdashers, carpets, Welsh Souveniers, chippies, snack bars, book stores, fashion accessories the list of small stores go on and on. All of the prices are reasonable and its a great place to pop in and stock up on the way to your weekend camping trip or weekend barbeque.
If you are staying nearby i.e. The Gower Peninsula or generaly anywhere in South Wales - give it a try. Its about 45 mins from drive from anywhere on the peninsula, Valley of Neath, Swansea Vale, 1 hour from Breconshire, Portcawl, Cardiff, Bridgend.
Come and visit!
Visit the marina
Firstly from the top just off Victoria Road you have the original maritime quarter contains the Dylan Thomas Centre with its exhibition and cafe, the Dylan Thomas Theatre, Swansea Museum, the Tram Shed and easy access to the National Waterfront Museum. You will also find bars, restaurants and lovely old buildings.
Moving into the new Marina you have the marina itself with its moorings and boats, small cafe's and businesses, a yacht club, car park and superb restaurant - Gallinis. The marina also contains thousands of apartments and town houses, a huge range of designs, many of them are currently empty creating a sometime surreal atmosphere.
Finally where the Marina joins the sea you'll find a beautiful beach and the start of the 5 mile Swansea Prom; complete with a public art trail and fascinating Swansea observatory.
An interesting place for a short walk or a day out.
Moving into the new Marina you have the marina itself with its moorings and boats, small cafe's and businesses, a yacht club, car park and superb restaurant - Gallinis. The marina also contains thousands of apartments and town houses, a huge range of designs, many of them are currently empty creating a sometime surreal atmosphere.
Finally where the Marina joins the sea you'll find a beautiful beach and the start of the 5 mile Swansea Prom; complete with a public art trail and fascinating Swansea observatory.
An interesting place for a short walk or a day out.
Swansea Marina
Like a movie scene!
I have to say Pennard castle is one, if not the most magical place I have ever been. Having lived in Swansea for 22 years I had somehow managed to miss this wonderfull place until last year when my niece took me for a walk up there.
I must say that there are two ways to get to the castle one through a housing estate and the other a steep climb up through the woods opposite Sheperds shop. Although its lovely the castle isnt really the magical part its the view! The view stretches along the winding river to three cliffs bay which is beautifull in itself.
Too me it looks like the setting of the Lord Of The Rings!
There is a steep sand bank path down onto the beach or you can continue your walk through pennard golf course.
I must say that there are two ways to get to the castle one through a housing estate and the other a steep climb up through the woods opposite Sheperds shop. Although its lovely the castle isnt really the magical part its the view! The view stretches along the winding river to three cliffs bay which is beautifull in itself.
Too me it looks like the setting of the Lord Of The Rings!
There is a steep sand bank path down onto the beach or you can continue your walk through pennard golf course.
Pennard Castle in all its beauty
The view from pennard castle, Sw…
Not great for the price!!!
We waited for Swanseas first waterpark and Wales best attraction for over 2 years....what a dissapointment! At the cost of £8 per adult and £4 per child its not very cheap to start with. There is no room for swimming, only for a splash around, two slides both of which are fun and a surf machine which I didnt try but looked good. To be honest I dont rate it high because I was bored to tears in there. The queues for the slides were 10 mins long and I like to swim when I go to a leisure centre. My nephew liked it though.
Second half is a climbing wall, £7 for adults and £3.50 for kids. Its a good wall run by the local climbing centre so you have great teachers. But id much rather take a trip to thier centre across the town and pay £8 for 10 different walls and all day climbing! (See my other reviews)
All in all, ok for a rainy day but dont bother otherwise!
Second half is a climbing wall, £7 for adults and £3.50 for kids. Its a good wall run by the local climbing centre so you have great teachers. But id much rather take a trip to thier centre across the town and pay £8 for 10 different walls and all day climbing! (See my other reviews)
All in all, ok for a rainy day but dont bother otherwise!
Swansea Surf Machine
Thrilling and painfull fun!
If you want to get into paintballing then Teamforce is a great day out. They regularly cater for up to 140 players per day and their purpose built centre is ideally located just 45 minutes from Cardiff and 2 minutes from junction 46 of the M4 in Swansea.
They supply everything that you will possibly need for a great day out, such as, overalls, masks that cover the whole of the head. They also provide Hoppers for your paintball ammo, Battle packs for carrying extra ammo out into the paintballing fields and unlimited CO2 gas supply.
Its good fun but can be very painfull!! Not for wimps!
They supply everything that you will possibly need for a great day out, such as, overalls, masks that cover the whole of the head. They also provide Hoppers for your paintball ammo, Battle packs for carrying extra ammo out into the paintballing fields and unlimited CO2 gas supply.
Its good fun but can be very painfull!! Not for wimps!
