Swansea Shopping and Districts

(Swansea, West Glamorgan, South Wales, UK)



Picture of the shops in the city centreIf you are visiting Swansea with shopping on your mind, you will find plenty here to spend your money on. Regularly ranking within the UK's top 20 biggest retail centres and amongst the best in South Wales, the shopping opportunities in Swansea are almost endless, with the best selection being based around the city centre.

Shops in Swansea vary greatly in quality and feature a rather diverse mixture of well-known chains, department stores, traditional shopping arcades, independent boutiques and specialist local outlets. For local bargains, plenty of character and a bustling atmosphere, the Swansea Market is the biggest indoor market in the whole of Wales and is a good alternative to more mainstream shops. However, some of the clusters of stores based outside of the city centre are looking a little tired, with a number of shops now being closed and boarded up.


Further photo of the city centre

Where to Shop

There are a number of top shopping districts around Swansea where the best selection of shops can be found. The Quadrant Shopping Centre is always worth a visit, with many further shops located along High Street, Oxford Street, Plymouth Street, Belle Vue Way, Kingsway, around the Arcades and also at Parc Tawe, close to Castle Square. The oldest shop in Swansea is the historic JT Morgan department store, which dates back to the 1920s. Shoppers should note that since October 2011, Wales has introduced a charge for carrier bags in all shops.

Oxford Street - Oxford Street, Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales, UK
The very hub of Swansea's shopping scene, Oxford Street regularly attracts in excess of 50,000 weekly visitors, being especially busy during the summer months. Many top stores and familiar names stand side-by-side in this part of Swansea and include favourites such as Marks & Spencer, BHS and many more, including a number of top fashion outlets, such as Next and The Gap. Jewellers, coffee shops, specialist stores and top designers are all here, with a well-pedestrianised section in the Lower Oxford Street area.

Swansea Market - Oxford Street, Swansea, West Glamorgan, SA1 3AG, Wales, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1792 654 296
An unmissable and extremely memorable shopping experience, Swansea Market stands off Oxford Street, between Union Street and White Walls. Many traders gather here between Monday and Saturday, selling a huge range of local produce, arts and crafts, flowers, vintage clothing, collectibles and much more besides. Housed in a modern building built in the early 1960s, Swansea Market is an integral part of local city life and is a good place to search out local food and hot snacks, including freshly cooked Welsh cakes.

Quadrant Shopping Centre - The Quadrant, Swansea, West Glamorgan, SA1 3QW, Wales, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1792 460 312
Dating back to 1978, Swansea's Quadrant Shopping Centre is open seven-days a week, Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 18:00 and on Sundays between 11:00 to 17:00. Located in the very heart of Swansea, this indoor shopping mall features its very own multi-storey car park and is also close to the bus station. Leading names here include the iconic department store Debenhams, WHSmith, HMV, River Island and also Boots the Chemist. Many smaller shops are also housed within the shopping centre, together with a restaurant, which stands on the mezzanine floor and offers views of the shoppers below.

St. Davids Shopping Centre - St. Davids Square, Swansea, West Glamorgan, SA1 3LG, Wales, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1792 472 055
A popular shopping centre situated alongside the Quadrant Shopping Centre and opposite St. Mary's Church, St. Davids lies in central Swansea, off Princess Way. Comprising a number of buildings, St. Davids Shopping Centre is also close to a large branch of the Tesco supermarket.