Swansea - the town with a bit of everything (Swansea in General)

Member Name: dancingirl

Product:	Swansea in General
Date:	11/09/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots to do

Disadvantages: Some not so nice areas

I grew up in Swansea and have to say that is one city which has a little bit of everything. Swansea is a sea side town with a town center, Mariana, beautiful country side and many beaches to visit (great for surfers).

Town center

At the moment the town center of Swansea is under re-development and has been for the last few years (it's almost finished), I think this will make the town center a nicer place to shop and eat. As in any town is has all of the main high street shops including Debenhams, River Island, Next etc. and a Zara is coming soon. There is also a theater in the town which brings in many variety of performances to Swansea throughout the year including ballets, musicals, dramas and of course pantomime. By the Marina in Swansea there is a heritage museum which is free to visit and is open 6 days a week.

Restaurants and bars

Swansea is renowned for it's night life with many different restaurants and bars to chose from. Wind street is the main place to go for a night out, restaurants like Frankie & Bennies, T.G.I Fridays and 2 brasseries (which I would recommend). Bars like walkabout and revolution are on this street and you can either stay in these bars for the night or as most do, go to the nightclubs like Oceana along the Kingsway (about 10 minute walk).

Countryside and Beaches

The Gower Peninsula is the countryside surrounding Swansea where you can take long walks and take in many of the views. You will need a car to get out to these areas as there are not many buses but the ones which do run only come once and hour and stop fairly early on in the evening. Many of the countryside walks can lead to a sandy beach. The beaches are very big so there is plenty of room and never seem over crowded. Three Cliffs Bay is one which I would recommend and has been voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Britain (however it is a long walk to the beach but is worth it).

Hotels

Hotels such as Dragon, Ramada Javis and Priemeire inn and many more are all easily asseable if you are traveling by car or by public transport. There are also many B&B's along Swansea's sea front all of which can book up (especially in the summer session).

Transport

Swansea has a main line train station where trains run to Cardiff and London and also more remote areas of Wales. The station is just on the edge of Swansea town and has a taxi ramp and bus stops just outside. National express buses run from Swansea main bus station which is in the center of town and from here you can get other bus links or taxis.

As with any town there are places which are rough but these are mainly residential so shouldn't be a problem if your coming for a visit. I would say that there is plenty of do in Swansea at any time of the year and I've lived there for over 20 years and still love it.

Summary: It's worth a visit