Swansea Holidays: Things To Do When You Visit Swansea

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 distance away by car is the seaside resort of Mumbles and favorite with people during Victorian times. Here we will take a look at a few of the places you can visit when you stay in Swansea. 

1.    Swansea Castle - This fortification has stood on the same spot 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 14th Century. In the 19th Century it was used as a debtor's prison. The tower that survives is located in the heart of the city and stands over the amphitheatre and fountains that was where the market use to be some 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. Alongside its collection of rare early nineteeth Century Swansea porcelain you will also find the mummy of a 4,000 year old Egyptian priest and the skeleton of an Ichthyosaur dinosaur. 

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. The museum offers a large number of interactive displays. So if you have inquisitive children with you then this is a great place to spend an afternoon. 

4.    Museum of Egyptian Antiquities – This is the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts you will find in the UK outside London. There are over one thousand objects for you to enjoy dating back to between 3500 BC and up to 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 15 miles to the east of Swansea in the town of Port Talbot. Here you will be able to see the Celtic standing stones collection that has 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 five thousand different kinds of tropical and exotic plants here and also an aviary and butterfly house. There is also a range of fish and reptiles and some Cotton Top Tamarin Monkeys.

When you next visit Swansea, you can choose your Swansea hotel here.