The second largest cityin Wales, Swansea isknown for its vibrant energy and welcoming charm. With the university on itsdoorstep, the city has a large student population which means plenty of choicewhen it comes to shopping, dining and nightlife. And with the city currentlyenjoying something of a rebirth through an extensive bout of regeneration – nowboasting both a national museum and a new marina, as well as five Green FlagAward-winning parks – Swansea is fast becomingknown as “the Brighton of Wales”.
Shopping in Swansea
As you might expect insuch a vibrant and busy city, there are plenty of shops to explore – over 230in fact! Perhaps more excitingly though, Swanseais also home to the largest indoor market in Wales– and one which dates back to the middle ages – where you will discover over100 stalls, offering a range of fresh locally made foods as well as traditionalgifts, jewellery and much more. And it’s here, at SwanseaMarket, that you will discover the true beating heart of thecity and its wonderful sense of community.
Culture in Swansea
Swanseais more than just the city that gave world culture Catherine Zeta-Jones (who continuesto maintain a home in the Mumbles area of the city).Swansea is also the birthplace of the great Welshpoet Dylan Thomas, who affectionately described it as an “ugly lovely town”,and whose work is vividly brought to life at the newly refurbished DyanThomas Centre. The fascinating SwanseaMuseum meanwhile – the oldest museum inWales – was also described by Thomas as “a museumthat belongs in a museum”, whilst the NationalWaterfront Museum employs the latest interactive technology to tellthe story of Welsh innovation and industry.
Nature in Swansea
With over 50 green spaces– five of them Green Flag Award-winning parks –Swansea is much more than just anothermetropolitan city – it truly does integrate the countryside into its landscape.And, located as it is on the South West coast of Wales,Swansea boasts the dramatic, sandy 5-mile stretchof beach at Swansea Bay.Swansea also serves as the perfect base camp forexploring the Gower Peninsula, Britain’s first Area of Outstanding NaturalBeauty.
Sport in Swansea
Swanseais also home to The LC – a waterpark and leisure complex that is the very bestthat Wales has to offer. Featuring the largestwaterpark in Wales, as well as the country’s largest gym, the centre alsooffers a 30ft climbing wall, 4-storey play area, and an indoor surf simulator.Swansea is also home to the 20,000 capacity LibertyStadium, which frequently plays host to both premiership and internationalfootball matches.
Enjoy Swansea
With its lively nightlife and student scene, alongsideits strong sense of community and tradition, Swanseaoffers a wonderful blend of both the modern and the traditional, which, coupledwith its immediate access to some of Britain’s most beautiful landscapes andcoastlines creates a unique and intoxicating blend of city excitement andnature’s soothing calm.
