Swansea is one of the most vibrant and lively of all the cities in Wales situated by the sea. Not only is there much for you to do and see in this city but also in the surrounding area as well. Just a short drive by car is the seaside resort of Mumbles which has been a favorite with people since Victorian times. Below we take a look at just a few of the places one can visit when you visit Swansea.
1. Swansea Castle - This ancient fortification has stood here for nearly 1,000 years now. Originally not only was it lived in but acted as the administrative centre for the city. Prince Owain Glyndwr attacked the castle in the fourteenth Century. Then during the 19th Century it was used as a debtor’s prison. The surviving castle tower is located in the heart of the city and stands over the amphitheatre and fountains where the market use to be around five hundred years ago.
2. Swansea Museum – This museum explores the history of Swansea. The poet Dylan Thomas described it as “A museum which belongs in a museum” and it is the oldest museum in Wales. Along with its collection of rare early nineteeth Century Swansea porcelain one will find the mummy of a 4,000 year old Egyptian priest and the skeleton of an Ichthyosaur.
3. National Waterfront Museum – This is situated in the Maritime Quarter of the city’s marina and has the largest collection of floating exhibits to be found in Wales today. Along with it being free to wander around the museum offers a large number of displays that one can interact with. So if you have children with you then this is a great place to spend an afternoon when the weather isn’t that great.
4. Museum of Egyptian Antiquities – Outside of London this is the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts you will find anywhere in the UK today. The museum is home to over one thousand objects dating back to between 3500 BC and AD500. Again admission in to this museum as with the one previously spoken about is free. So if the weather is wetter than you wanted why not spend a few hours wandering through the museums halls.
5. Margam Stones Museum – This is situated in Port Talbot, around 15 miles to the east of Swansea. It features the Celtic standing stones collection that have been gathered here from across Wales. There are giant cartwheel crosses which are more than a thousand years old together with an ornate Christian memorial stone that dates back to before the Roman times.
6. Plantasia – This features all kinds of environments to be found around the world. Inside the glass pyramid the climate is controlled and you will find yourself wandering from a rainforest to a desert. There are more than 5,000 different kinds of tropical and exotic plants here and also an aviary and butterfly house. Plus you will find a range of fish and reptiles and some Cotton Top Tamarin Monkeys to take pleasure in as well.
When you next visit Swansea, you can book your hotel in Swansea here.
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