Attractions Nearby Swansea, Day Trips and Excursions

(Swansea, West Glamorgan, South Wales, UK)

Many alluring attractions lie in the many towns, villages and other locations surrounding Swansea, all of which are just a short journey away, either by car, bus or train. These attractions close to Swansea include the spreading Brecon Beacons National Park, the stunning Gower Peninsula and also the busy market town of Neath.

No trip to Swansea is really complete without visiting the nearby city of Cardiff, where top attractions are in plentiful supply and include an especially lively city centre and a trendy waterfront area, complete with its eye-catching Millennium Stadium, which was built at a cost of around £100 million and can seat over 70,000 people.

Cardiff

Cardiff is an energetic city and both the capital of Wales and the country's biggest city. Around an hours' drive to the south-east of Swansea, approximately 64 km / 40 miles away, Cardiff is full of world-class attractions, such as its historic castle, the National Museum and Gallery, the Techniquest Museum, the Cardiff International Arena and also the spectacular Millennium Stadium, next to the Mermaid Quay and bay front. Cardiff also contains an immense shopping district full with high street favourites and mammoth department stores.

Brecon Beacons National Park

The expansive Brecon Beacons National Park stands on the north-eastern side of Swansea and encompasses a particularly attractive mountain range, the tallest of which is the Pen y Fan mountain, measuring almost 900 metres / 2,950 feet. This vast park was founded in 1957 and is full of countless breathtaking natural attractions, such as the Henrhyd Waterfall, the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu and many recreational activities, which include walking, horse riding, angling, windsurfing, caving, climbing and more.

Gower Peninsula

The beautiful Gower Peninsula lies on the western side of Swansea and offers a true island feeling. Heading around 24 km / 15 miles further west from the village of Mumbles, the Gower Peninsula boasts many tall cliffs overlooking magnificent stretches of sandy beaches. Although tourism has become an important part of the Gower area, the attractions here have not been overdeveloped, such as the numerous scenic hiking pathways and walking trails, rugged headlands and rock faces suitable for climbing, and secluded bays. Some of the most popular tourist attractions around the Gower Peninsula include the huge beach at Oxwich Bay, the National Nature Reserve at the Whiteford Burrows, and the notable surfing conditions off the coast of Llangennith. Also worth a visit and within driving distance of Swansea is the National Trust Visitor Centre at the village of Rhossili, which features cliffs, an award-winning beach (Rhossili Bay) and an interesting exhibition about the area.

Neath

Lying just over 13 km / 8 miles north-east of Swansea, Neath is an appealing market town with a population of almost 50,000 people. Many tourists staying in the nearby city of Swansea choose to visit the numerous attractions in Neath, many of which can be reached in less than 15 minutes. With a rich history and many ancient archaeological finds, including the remains of a Roman fortress, the best attractions in Neath include the Aberdulais Falls off the A4109, the 12th-century Neath Abbey off the A465, the impressive Neath Museum and Art Gallery at the Gwyn Hall along Orchard Street, and also the Cefn Coed Colliery Museum on Neath Road, in the neighbouring village of Crynant.

Port Talbot

Around 14 km / 9 miles south-east of Swansea, Port Talbot is a large industrial town based around a prominent harbour area. Much of the town centre has been recently renovated and the main attractions around Port Talbot include the Margam Stones Museum, the South Wales Miners Museum, the Margam Abbey and Stones Museum and the huge Margam Country Park, which covers more than 800 acres / 320 hectares and is home to landscaped gardens, a Victoria mansion, an 18th-century orangery, a narrow gauge railway and also a pets corner, amongst many other attractions.