Parks and the outdoors in Swansea

25 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Swansea.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

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Blackpill Beach
Blackpill Beach and the Blackpill Stream which flows into it are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. Many types of gulls can be seen feeding there at high tide.
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Brynmill Park
Swansea's oldest park, in Dylan's Uplands famous for its large swan lake.
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Clyne Gardens and Country Park
No doubt the gem in the crown of Swansea parks. Begun as a private garden, Clyne is bursting with flora and fauna meticulously collected from around the world. It has an internationally recognised collection of rhododendrons and azaleas which are at their spectacular best in May. The Japanese style pond, complete with willow trees and oriental bridge is a great place to relax and watch the clouds sail by. Entrance behind the Woodman pub on Mumbles Road at Blackpill.
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Cwmdonkin Park
In the Uplands. A classic Victorian park that was a favourite with Dylan Thomas, and several of his works were inspired here.
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Kilvey Community Woodland
The south side of the woodland offers panoramic views of Swansea Bay right over to Mumbles Head and Port Talbot and also the city centre and docks, while the western face of the hill allows uninhibited views of the lower Swansea Valley, the northern part of the city centre, the Enterprise Zone and the Liberty Stadium. In addition, the hill has a sculpture trail, a number of footpaths and some dedicated white knuckle mountain biking trails.
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Lake Fendrod
In the heart of the Swansea Enterprise Park. It has a large population of swans and is stocked with a range of fishes like carp to 20 lb, skimmers to bream of 8 lb, tench to 6 lbs, roach to 2 lb together with crucian carp, dace, orfe, perch & rudd. There are about 75 pegs, some of which are concreted. Lake Fendrod is surrounded by a public footpath.
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Mumbles Pier
Mumbles. Built in the 1880s to encourage more passengers to use the Mumbles Train, the pier is an edifice to the Victorians' love of the ocean. Compared to many piers around the country, Mumbles is quite simple in design, but the 255-m walk from beginning to end allows for spectacular views over Swansea Bay. In particular, Oystermouth Castle and the high rise buildings of the city centre are in clear view.
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Singleton Park
Swansea's largest park meandering over several acres of gentle undulating hills and leading down to Swansea Bay botanical gardens near the Sketty end of the park, and Swansea University at the lower end, near the sea front. The main entrance to the park is on Mumbles Road, just past the St. Helen's Stadium.
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Swansea Vale Nature Reserve
At the far north eastern end of the Enterprise Park. It is one of the few remaining places of wetland in Swansea and features streams, ponds and woodland. The nature reserve is accessible by bike or on foot and features a board walk and bike paths
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Swansea beach
A 5-mile (8-km) stretch of beach from Swansea Docks all the way to Mumbles with a cycle way and promenade along its whole length.
Eat Not mapped
Adelinas Bar & Indian Kitchen
Wide range of traditional and fusion dishes served in an historical listed building. Views over park. Cheerful ambience.
Mon-Sat 5-10:30PM, Sun noon-10PM
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Brangwyn Hall
The Guildhall complex, Victoria Park. With its stunning British Empire Panels, commissioned for the British House of Lords, this grandiose concert hall is the focus for the annual Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts, the second largest such festival in the UK.
Do Not mapped
Rowing and crazy golf
A boating lake and crazy golf course between the junction of Sketty Lane and Mumbles Road and the entrance to Swansea University.
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Sketty Hall
In a beautiful white Georgian Mansion within the spacious grounds of Singleton Park, this restaurant offers an especially peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
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Swansea Bay Rider
A colourful children's land train runs throughout the summer along the promenade from the St. Helen's Stadium to Southend Gardens, Mumbles.
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The Clyne Valley Trail
Runs through Clyne Country Park to the North Gower coast, where it rejoins the National Celtic Cycle Trail the first part of the trail passes through a forested area, then meanders through sprawling suburbs before reaching the Loughor Estuary near Loughor. This trail leads from the Promenade Trail at Blackpill (a child's paddling area marks the site). Mountain bike trails are on the sides of the valley.
Do Not mapped
The Jersey Marine and Fabian Way Trail
Traces the main road into the city centre from the east few special sites of interest, it passes the Jersey Marine Tower and offers views of the heavy industrial plants in Baglan Bay and Port Talbot.
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The Promenade Trail
Runs along Swansea Bay foreshore to the sea-side suburb of Mumbles it passes through the Marina and offers stunning views over Swansea Bay. On a sunny day, with the blue water lapping at the side of the promenade, cycling along this trail must be the nearest thing to poetry in motion.
Eat Not mapped
The River House
Chic restaurant and lounge with views over the Sail Bridge. Delicious and innovative cuisine.
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The River Tawe Trail
Runs along the banks of the river Tawe passing through a former industrial area that has been reforested, skirts the Liberty Stadium, a business district and finally heads out to the Swansea Valley.
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The Secret Beach Bar and Kitchen
A cafe, bar, and eatery near St Helen's Rugby Ground. On the beach front. Uninhibited views over Swansea Bay.
Daily
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Verdi's
cafe and restaurant
Probably the nearest thing the UK has to an authentic Italian sea-front cafe-cum-restaurant, and the huge plate glass windows offer spectacular views over Swansea Bay. Buses travelling to Limeslade stop here. Alternatively, it can be reached on foot via the promenade, a ten-minute walk from Mumbles Village.
Do Not mapped
Fairwood Park Golf Club
6,658-yard, 18-hole parkland championship course
Eat Not mapped
Oriental Garden
Buffet-style cuisine with at least 40 dishes on rotation.
Eat Not mapped
Sea Garden
Penclawdd Road, Penclawdd.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Swansea (CC BY-SA 4.0).