Swansea Attractions

The Mumbles comprises a wide bay with a long promenade, piers, cafes, restaurants and numerous entertainment facilities, and is a popular destination for the inhabitants of Swansea.

The cultural life of Swansea, which counts the eloquent poet Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) among its sons, is lively, with the theater and the arts well supported. The Swansea Music Festival, the high-point of the town's musical life, takes place every October in the Guildhall, which is decorated with murals by Frank Brangwyn, originally intended for the House of Lords in London. The superior Grand Theatre in Singleton Street has its own company, Brangwyn Hall is mainly used for concerts. During the summer there is a full program of variety shows, dancing, concerts and performances for children in the Patti Pavilion near the Guildhall. The Gower Festival stages smaller concerts in the surrounding churches annually in July.

Swansea boasts magnificent parks; Clyne Gardens, famed for its rhododendrons and azaleas, mounts marvelously-colorful exhibitions in late spring. Boat ponds and play facilities await children at Blackpill Lido.

The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery has a fabulous collection of Swansea pottery and porcelain, European and Oriental ceramics, and glass paperweights. It includes works by Welsh artists such as Augustus, Gwen John and Ceri Richards.

This annual two-week festival takes place in late July, offering nightly performances of choral and chamber music. Since 1976, the parish churches have been the main venues of the festival, which focuses on baroque and classical music, with only a few performances of contemporary works added every year.

Llanelli (pop. 73,500) is a commercial seaport with several major industries including tinplate mills and chemical plants.

Weobley Castle is located on the opposite side of the Gower Peninsula from Swansea, in Wales. It is a late-medieval house built in the 13th century which aimed to combine domestic comfort with security. It contains an interesting historical exhibition. It should not be missed on a visit to the Gower Peninsula.

On a hill above the Mumbles lie the ruins of Oystermouth Castle (ca. 1287) with the gatehouse, great hall and chapel. A prominent lighthouse stands on Mumbles Head, two cliffs from which the area has gained its name.

This annual festival runs from early to late October and includes various large-scale concerts by world-famous orchestras. The festival also highlights local talent, by presenting a community theatrical production. Other events include drama and opera performances and art exhibitions.

The performances take place in Brangwyn Hall and St Mary's Church.

This annual festival takes place in mid-June and focuses completely on the Victorian times. Events include costumed cricket matches, a country fair and street entertainment.