Top Things to do in Swansea
Things to do in Swansea, Wales: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
Birthplace of poet Dylan Thomas, and the second-largest city in Wales, resilient Swansea offers a slew of leafy parks and some impressive cultural centers, including the new National Waterfront Museum and the renowned Dylan Thomas Centre. Rebuilt after WWII, the modern city of 230,000 has a charming outlook over Swansea Bay and the picturesque, unspoiled 16-mile-long Gower Peninsula, home to rich wildlife, prehistoric standing stones, dramatic cliffs and lovely beaches.
Restaurants in Swansea
1. Whiteford National Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By Suzanne956 - Cardiff, United Kingdom
walk for miles without seeing a soul! this is a beautiful stretch of beach which is on the tail end of north gower. you can walk out to the lighthouse at low tide. had many a morning run down here to blow away the cobwebs.
2. Three Cliffs Bay
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 671 reviews
Reviewed By DeejDeej - Istanbul, Turkey
If you park at the Gower heritage center ( a small parking fee) , they will give you a small map for a lovely walk to the beach. Passing through a woodlands, pass a castle ruins on the jills with beautiful veiws and do wn theough the sand dunes , through a small river or over stepping stones onto a beautiful beach with transparent water. In summer it feels like youre abroad.
3. Penllergare Valley Woods
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 411 reviews
On the northern fringe of the city of Swansea, and within sight of the M4 motorway, lies the estate of Penllergare Valley Woods. Here, deep in the valley, away from the noise and fumes of the passing traffic and encroaching development, you'll find the remnants of an important historic landscape, which is gradually being preserved and restored. It is a secret and magical place; where you can enjoy the sound of birds, delight in the profusion of wild flowers, discover evidence of exotic plantings and uncover for yourself the hidden features of a grand design. This romantic and picturesque place was contrived for the enjoyment of its creator John Dillwyn Llewelyn - a pioneering mover in science, nature, photography and astronomy in the 19th century. After over half a century of neglect, today it is a place that can be enjoyed and explored by everyone. Penllergare is run by a small charity, The Penllergare Trust. Our Volunteer-run Coffee Shop is open 10-4 daily and our car park 9-5.
Reviewed By Angela1066_11 - Colchester, United Kingdom
Came to visit my son at Swansea uni with the family dog , And son had found this beautiful spot on google. Wow what a peaceful location lovely walk lots to see and the dog loved meeting up with other friendly doggies ..... just perfect xx
4. White Spring Fishery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By leissa567
Took my disabled wife for the first time fishing . Beth couldn't do enough to help . Fishing was hard due to the the wheather . Beth's breakfast rolls are worth going for alone . The pods are clean and warm . Will definitely be going back when the wheather is better . Should have booked the log cabins really for my wife as the pods aren't really suitable for her . Just wanted to say thank from me and my wife to Beth
5. Mumbles Hill Local Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By lilimachado_alves785 - Porto, Portugal
The Mumbles is such a beautifull place , the Gower Bay , the Mumbles Pier aud its restaurants , lovely to walk around and eat an icecream at the Pier , enjoy it ............love being there............
6. Plantasia
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 282 reviews
An indoor Zoo and Tropical Rain Forest in the heart of the city centre. Step through a giant tree into a real rainforest and spend the day exploring this vibrant and magical world. Crawl through the under growth, come face to face with crocodiles and dare to climb high in the canopy with the parrots! Grow your imaginations in this interactive, fully immersive tropical experience for all the family.
Reviewed By Toms_Ryan12
We visited Plantasia today, for the first time since it’s refurbishment. I’m happy to say we were not disappointed. I think you really had to experience it beforehand to truly appreciate the massive improvements that have been made. Gone was the dated decor and to be honest overall drab atmosphere of old, only to be replaced by a much more current and hands on interactive experience to by all ages. After admission (£7 for adults, £5 for kids, under 3 free) You first enter into a cave of creepy crawlies, with UV lights and sound button activities to explore( which our daughter loved) . Then you can either go into a room offset for a meet and greet with some of the chosen animals or carry on round the rainforest/ jungle walk. If you take the time to look at the various plants and animals it can easily pass a few hours, sparking great conversations and overall knowledge. For example my wife ( a self confessed chocoholic) , now knows chocolate comes from the cocoa tree ????. There are also scheduled talks on some of the animals intermittently throughout the day, furthering your knowledge. I spoke to one of the members of staff about the refurbishment they’ve been through (1.1 million) and he said it has definitely made a massive difference and increased footfall, which was clearly visible. I’ve read some negative comments here, each to their own opinions. However, I feel the price is more than adequate for what you get within. After all what can you get for £7 these days? I mean it’s not claiming to be folly farm or Bristol zoo etc. It is what it is a small run, tiny animals experience in the heart of an up and coming city. To sum up. Massive improvement, will definitely return. Great to see this in our city, teaching young minds about the importance of our world and how to conserve what’s in it . Great job guys , keep up the good work!
