to consider Swansea as a summer holiday destination?

[morningtoncrescent62]

I work in an industry where summer is our busy time and it makes it difficult to take time off during the warmer months. This year work are sending me to Swansea for a few days in July, and because I'll get time off in lieu for travelling at the weekend I can follow my work trip with a few days' holiday. It's tempting to be able to take some holiday in the UK in the summer so I'd quite like to, but is there anywhere in the Swansea area that would be good for a short break? I would be on my own which doesn't faze me at all as I like solo holidays. I like cities, I like swimming in the sea, and I like not-too-challenging walks in the country but I don't drive. Would Swansea be a good place? Or Cardiff? Or anywhere else nearby I should consider?

Yes definitely Swansea, or anywhere along that part of the coast. Its beautiful.

The Gower peninsula is one of the most beautiful parts of South wales to visit and I grew up in the Pembrokehire Coast National park. Cardiff is only about an hour away by train from Swansea as well.

This is fairly comprehensive to getting aroun without a car.
www.visitswanseabay.com/useful-information/travelling-around/

Swansea is a marvellous place. I've lived her for 50 years but it's so much better when the sun shines but unfortunately it can't be guaranteed. Where are you staying?

The Gower is a few miles away the Gower Explorer bus is available throughout the summer and there is a website Swansea Bay without a car. There is a beach a short walk from the city centre and a flat walk along the prom to Mumbles where you must try a Joe's ice cream. Lovely parks and plenty of places to eat.

Just ask if you want further info.

The Gower peninsula is very near Swansea which is beautiful, The Mumbles is probably the most popular part of it.
Further to the west there's both Tenby and Saundersfoot which are probably about 2 hours away by train and also both lovely. Cardiff is a better city than Swansea but Swansea has better coastline near it.

We stayed in mumbles last year for a wedding, went around gower peninsular on days out and had a great time at st fagans on the way home.

We've just come back from an amazing holiday in The Gower. Stunning beaches and not too busy. Port Eynon was lovely.

I second a pp, you must go to The Mumbles for a Joes Icecream - it's the best you'll ever eat.

Walking to The Mumbles is a nice walk, start off opposite Singleton Park and follow the coast round, takes 1-1.5 hours. On weekends, if you don't fancy the walk back there's a land train.

Other than that, the Gower, especially Rhossili - that's another lovely, leisurely walk from Rhossili car park to the Worms head.

Oooh, this is sounding great. I've never been to South Wales and I thought you had to go much further west to reach nice parts of the coast. When I'm at my work thing I'll be staying in the student halls of residence at Singleton Park Campus (no expense spared!!) but after that I can go anywhere. If I were to stay on in Swansea, but maybe stay somewhere nearer the city centre, it sounds like there would be nice coastal walks nearby, and I could go further out onto the Gower peninsula for day trips by bus? That would be ideal - I'll go onto that Swansea Bay website and have a look.

The Gower. Beautiful.

Just read the latest replies. I'm so happy!! I honestly thought South Wales was somewhere you would need a car to get anywhere decent. I'm already looking forward to Joes Icecream. (Caveat: I live near Mussleburgh in Scotland which has an ice cream shop to die for so my ice cream bar is set high.)

I may be biased but we have the best beaches in the world so yes, come to Swansea!
As previous posters have said there is a Gower Explorer bus that will take you around the peninsula. The best beaches are around Three Cliffs, you can either get off the bus in Penmaen, Parkmill or Southgate to walk down to the beach and then walk along the sand or through the woods or nature reserve to Oxwich; or take the bus to Rhossili for stunning views.

The city centre isn’t all that inspiring, although the prom is a lovely walk from the marina all the way to Mumbles where there are nicer shops and restaurants and a pier (although it’s currently closed for renovations). The Waterfront Museum and Swansea Museum are both free to enter and good rainy day activities.

You can get to the Gower by bus but it can take a while.

Ds is a student at Swansea and has been living at Singleton Park. The halls aren't quite reasonable as student halls go.

And I’m a Verdi’s girl - better sundaes and views than Joes

There are umpteen bnbs along the front op, plenty near town and then lots in Mumbles too. Or a few bigger hotels, the Marriott, the Dragon and the Grand Hotel are all in town.

And I’m a Verdi’s girl - better sundaes and views than Joes

wash your mouth out

Absolutely! We booked a cottage in Mumbles for two weeks and had a great time.

Joe's ice cream is disgusting. 😷

We love going to Swansea. We go to worcester for a week then always go home to devon via swansea for a couple of days.

Never mind ice cream, you must try some laver bread, welsh lamb and bara brith (pronounced barra breeth). Welsh cakes are very popular too, but I don't like them.
Gower beaches are stunning. Swansea is quite a small city but you should find plenty to do.

Looks like I've got no choice but to go to both ice cream joints and adjudicate! I'm on the Swansea Bay without a car website at the moment and it looks fab. I think I'll decamp to the city centre when my work thing finishes. I have four days, so if the weather's good or at least reasonable I can get the bus to the beaches - I love bus travel so I don't mind if it takes ages. Is there much to do locally if the weather is really bad? Day trips to Cardiff would of course be possible but I wouldn't want to miss the local highlights!

I went to Swansea Uni. I have many fond memories of my time there and very much enjoy going back from time to time.

Plantasia near the city centre is quite reasonably priced. You could mooch there for about an hour. They've just welcomed a couple of meerkats but the botanical gardens in Singleton Park which is next to the Uni is beautiful and free. The prom and beach is over the footbridge by the Uni.

I believe some of the b&b's on the seafront used to be used for men leaving the prison just a few yards up the road. Perhaps they may not be your best option.

SurfingSally - wash your mouth out

The city centre is a dive but the seafront and mumbles is beautiful and you’re right on the edge of Gower which is outstandingly beautiful.