Play Safe Finding Out visitswanseabay.com Whatever you do and wherever you do it, please Visitor Information Points ensure that the conditions are safe and that you Where you see this sign, our friendly VIP’s have the right equipment. If new to the activity or can help you with: inexperienced, use an accredited operator (where • Ideas on where to go and things to do appropriate, all operators featured in this Guide • Finding local accommodation Legendary have achieved the relevant activity accreditation • Travel information in relation to the sections in which they appear). To help you find your nearest VIP, go to If participating in an activity in the sea or near the visitswanseabay.com/vips shoreline, then keep an eye on the state of the tide, Adventures as it can turn very quickly here, especially at the Worm’s Head causeway, Burry Holms and If you require any additional information regarding Three Cliffs Bay. accommodation, events and things to do, then visit: visitswanseabay.com If available, always follow warning flags and notices. Lifeguard patrolled beaches are best for swimming, Visit our Facebook,Twitter and Instagram pages especially for children. If surfing at Llangennith for more inspiration and local updates. watch out for shipwrecks below the waterline. Use @visitswanseabay and #LiveTheLegend when you post and we can join in your RNLI Legendary Swansea Bay Adventure! rnli.org WALES’ PREMIER For more information on dog friendly beaches, LEISURE DESTINATION accommodation and attractions Spend some quality time with the family! go to: Spend some quality time visitswanseabay.com/ dog-friendly-holidays Getting About with the family! Call our pre-booking hotline Swansea Bay is at the heart of South Wales and on 01792 466500 now! can be easily reached by motorway, with express This publication is available coaches and fast train links. in alternative formats. Contact: For further information about travelling to or * [email protected] within Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower, contact: Traveline Cymru 0800 464 0000 www.traveline.cymru Published by the City & County of Swansea or Baytrans (for travel around the destination) © Copyright 2017 www.swanseabaywithoutacar.com www.thelcswansea.com 2017/18 Swansea Bay Mumbles & Gower NEED A BREAK? DISCOVER YOUR HOMElegendaryFROMHOME... Visit the largest collection of holiday homes in Mumbles, Gower & Swansea Marina From peaceful retreats, to family fun, to energetic outdoor activities, we have over 270 holiday properties to suit your requirements, all managed by Gower’s most experienced locally-based agency. Visit our website or give us a call. One of our dedicated local team will be happy to help. 360 Beach & Watersports 0 4km Blue Flag and Seaside Award Knab Rock #hfhmoments Marina Blue Flag Award This map is based on digital photography licensed 0 2 miles from NRSC Ltd. © City and County of Swansea 2017 01792 360624 [email protected] 101 Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea, SA3 4BN Information correct at time of going to print May 2017. visitswanseabay.com Contents 02 Your Legendary Adventure Starts Here 04 Historic Adventures 06 Smugglers and Pirates 09 Our Legendary Heroes 12 Food and Drink Legends 16 Event Highlights Finding Out & Area Map (back cover) visitswanseabay.com 1 Your Legendary Swansea Bay Adventure starts here… Wales is celebrating a Year of Legends and this Guide is bursting with legendary places to visit, things to do and places to stay, that will ensure your visit is, well - legendary! Spectacular Swansea Bay Swansea is a vibrant city that celebrates its culture and heritage and is the proud birthplace of legends, including Dylan Thomas and Catherine Zeta Jones. But, Swansea also has a spooky side - the Grand Theatre has a ghostly white lady and Swansea’s medieval castle ruins are dripping in history. Mythical Mumbles From mesmerising ocean views, unique boutiques and delicious ice cream, Mumbles is the place to be! Visit Oystermouth Castle, which hosted Edward I in 1284, for a heroic historic day out. Look out for the 14th century medieval graffiti. Legendary Gower Peninsula It is easy to see why the Gower Peninsula was designated as the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it really is beautiful! Featuring some of the best beaches in the world and some marvellous myths and tall tales of smugglers, pirates and even of a spectral stagecoach at Rhossili Bay! For more interesting insights and magical myths go to visitswanseabay.com/legend and discover the legends behind the destination. 2 visitswanseabay.com C A N O L F A N C E N T R E ‘Love the Words’ Exhibition Find out about the legendary life, work and legacy of Swansea’s most famous son through dynamic, dramatic and interactive displays. FREE ENTRY (01792 463980 dylanthomas.com Historic Adventures Giant’s Grave and Gower’s Caves Gower’s caves have thrilling tales to tell. Human remains have been discovered at Giant’s Grave (Parc le Breos) that date back to the Neolithic period. At Paviland Cave the famous Red Lady was found. This cave is best viewed from the sea (anyone for a boat trip?) Arthur’s Stone Visit this famous ancient monument to discover part of the legend of King Arthur. It’s said that the mythical monarch threw the stone across the Estuary having found it in his shoe! Sit back and admire the extraordinary 360° views from the top of Cefn Bryn. Castles Explore the Castle at Oystermouth that once entertained medieval kings, knights and nobles. Or visit the ruins of Pennard Castle that looks out over the awe-inspiring Three Cliffs Bay - believed to be home to a Gwrach-y-rhibyn (shrieking banshee). Nearby Oxwich Castle has Tudor fortifications and the Castle at Weobley has fine views across the Burry Estuary (and is part of a working farm). The remains of Swansea Castle has withstood sieges, wars and rebellions and still stands proudly in the city centre. visitswanseabay.com/castles 4 visitswanseabay.com/caves-king-arthur Smugglers and Pirates Rhossili Bay Admire the mesmerising views whilst you soak up the stories of shipwrecks and smuggling. The golden sands are home to the shipwreck Helvetia. Take a walk over the causeway to the world famous Worm’s Head, named by Viking invaders who thought it resembled a Dragon or ‘Wurm’. You may be lucky and spot the local seals and dolphins on your adventure. (Please watch the tide and report to the Coastwatch Centre when crossing to Worm’s Head). Pwll Du and Brandy Cove The remote beaches at Pwll Du and Brandy Cove were once the haunt of legendary smuggler, William Hawkin Arthur. Brandy Cove is only accessible on foot, perfect if you want to retrace the steps of those Pwll Du Pirates. Port Eynon The legend of John Lucas originated from this beautiful little Welsh village. Many archaeological investigations have taken place here, in an attempt to discover his hidden cellars and secret pathways. Nearby Culver Hole, a medieval dovecote built into the sea cliffs, is said to be one of these smuggling strongholds. 6 visitswanseabay.com/piracy-and-smuggling National Waterfront Museum museum.wales ((029) 2057 3600 Dylan Thomas Birthplace & Family Home [email protected] (01792 472555 Wales National Pool Swansea www.walesnationalpoolswansea.co.uk (01792 513513 Oxwich Watersports www.oxwichwatersports.co.uk (07740 284079 8 visitswanseabay.com Our Legendary Heroes Dylan Thomas “If Wales is a country of song, Swansea is a city of poets”, words of legendary poet Dylan Thomas. Visit his favourite childhood places across the city, including the family home, Cwmdonkin Park and the ‘Love the Words’ exhibition at the Dylan Thomas Centre. Swansea Jack Swansea Jack was a local hero. He rescued 27 people in his lifetime, named Dog of the Century by NewFound Friends of Bristol, and gained multiple medals for his achievements. Visit his memorial on the Promenade on Swansea Bay. Adelina Patti Although Adelina was not born in Swansea, the Spanish legend made Swansea her home. Her memory lives on at the Patti Pavilion in Victoria Park, which she donated to Swansea in 1918. Adelina bought the Victorian-Gothic Craig-y-Nos Castle in 1878 and lived there for the rest of her life. Hungry for more tall tales and local legends - head to visitswanseabay.com/legends for more myths, including a knee trembling Tombstone Trail and legendary Cycle Route. visitswanseabay.com/legendary-people 9 Swansea Grand Theatre www.swanseagrand.co.uk (01792 475715 Down to Earth www.downtoearthproject.org.uk (01792 346566 The Lovespoon Gallery ® www.lovespoongallery.com (01792 360132 Glynn Vivian Art Gallery www.glynnviviangallery.org (01792 516900 visitswanseabay.com 11 Food and Drink Legends Experience our legendary local delicacies on your visit to Swansea Bay, it’s the heart (and stomach!) of Welsh culture! Visit Swansea Market to taste warm homemade Welsh cakes and freshly caught cockles. Head down to Mumbles to enjoy world class ice cream or enjoy an elegant afternoon tea with a legendary view. Mumtaz [email protected] (01792 367210 Swansea Market www.swanseaindoormarket.co.uk (01792 654296 Cafe Play Mumbles www.cafeplaymumbles.co.uk (01792 363482 12 visitswanseabay.com/legendary-food-drink Visitor Inform a t v io i s n i t P s o w in a t n s e a b a M y . a c n o m G w y b o d a e t c h r o Y e m s o w b e l a w e y a r be rta we.com Oystermouth Castle www.swansea.gov.uk/oystermouthcastle Mumbles Pier www.mumbles-pier.co.uk (01792 365200 Rip N Rock www.ripnrock.co.uk (07815 784122 Parc-le-Breos House www.parclebreos.co.uk (01792 371636 14 visitswanseabay.com