A mere 5.5 hours away from London makes it perfect for a quick, easy, and exciting getaway. Whether it be that you are searching for the best places to visit in Wales for families, free things to do in Wales, or the best things to do in Swansea, here are my top 5 things to do in Swansea, Wales.
Oh please, Beach!
1) Visit Sketty Lane / Swansea Beach
It's free, beautiful and also accessible to surfers, so if you're a pro, grab your surfboard and go! Head straight there when the tides are right. You can walk your dog, take an evening stroll while watching the windmills turn, and watch others making small campfires... It can be so magical.
2) Visit the National Waterfront Museum
Whether you have children or not, I would recommend this visit and it should be at the top of your list. You'll learn a plethora of history and Welsh culture, and your younger children can enjoy a soft play section to keep them entertained. There's a garden for outdoor activities, interactive learning displays and a gift shop allowing you to purchase souvenirs. Best of all, it's FREE! It's best to go when there is an event on, to get the most out of your experience. You will be able to view the boats at the Marina while having easy access to grab a bite to eat at the cafe or restaurants surrounding the museum.
3) Take a trip to a local park
There are many local parks in Swansea, with beautiful greenery, a children's play area, and space to walk the dogs. If you or your children are a fan of the sport, why not play some basketball, as some of the parks offer a basketball court to play on. You can even visit the Swansea Botanical gardens, something I wish I could have done, but we had only discovered Swansea Botanical Gardens upon our return home. The images online show you how gorgeous the gardens really are- so if you get the opportunity, ensure you make time to visit. This will be my reason for returning!
4) Swansea Castle
Before I say anything about Swansea castle, I must inform you that it is just the remains of the castle from the early 13th and 14th centuries. It does however have a pretty distinctive look so it would be great for taking photos of the outside and allowing the children to run around what little remains. There is no access to the remains so it is good for photos and video footage only. So, if you are looking for a full castle tour, this is not the visit for you. If you are driving, maybe take a trip down to Cardiff Castle instead.
5) Visit Swansea Town Centre
There's no way you could visit Swansea, without visiting the bustling town centre. Clothes, shops, restaurants, bookshops and even a mini market and the Quadrant, will give you plenty to see and do. Outside the Quadrant, you'll find a Vue cinema, a church, and a strip of cafes and places to eat.
You can walk through the Quadrant, through a small entrance, where you'll find Swansea Market. It's adorable!! Lots of trinkets, souvenirs and food you can pick up. Swansea market has an array of fresh fish, shellfish, bric-a-brac, and cool souvenirs. A quirky seating rating where you can stop and have something to eat. It is definitely worth a visit ... and most of all it's FREE!
If you want to do something else fun and FREE, why not try 'language spotting'. My son and I played this (made-up) game and we had so much fun! So next time you head down to Wales, let's see how many words you can spot and what they mean.
And if you love Swansea that much, why not make a weekend stay out of it? Click here to check out The Alexander Hotel where we stayed.