the National Waterfront Museum, Maritime Quarter. Tel:+44 1792 638950 . Open daily 10AM-5PM. Housed in an iconic building clad in Welsh slate, the National Waterfront Museum represents an exciting and innovative way to explore the development of the industrial revolution - through the eyes of the people whose lives it touched and transformed. The toil, the achievements, the defeats and the joys are revealed through the museum's creative exhibitions. Children will particularly enjoy the working machinery. There are also cafes and gift shops overlooking the marina. This is one of the UK's most imaginative exhibition spaces and must-see destinations. Admission is free.
Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea
the Dylan Thomas Centre, Somerset Place, Marina. Tel:+44 1792 463980 . Tu-Su 9AM-10PM. This splendid example of early 19th century Doric style architecture served as Swansea Guildhall for over 100 years. It became the Dylan Thomas Center in 1995 when it was refurbished in commemoration of Swansea hosting the 1995 UK Year of Literature and Writing, and was opened by former US President Jimmy Carter. The center is dedicated to the works of Swansea's greatest literary son, and in addition to a theater, exhibition and events hall, the center also has a second hand book store and gift shop. The local cuisine served in the second floor restaurant is highly recommended. Admission free.
the Glyn Vivian Art Gallery, Alexandra Road. Tel:+44 1792 516900 . The gallery housed in a baroque revival Edwardian building has permanent exhibits of paintings by local artists and a good collection of Swansea china. In addition, it frequently hosts exhibitions of national and international works of art. Open: Tues-Sun 9AM-5PM. Admission free.
Swansea Museum, Victoria Road, Maritime Quarter. Tel:+44 1792 653763. Tu-Su 9AM-5PM. This grade two, neo-classic building was Wales' first museum, and displays artifacts as diverse as Swansea china and an Egyptian mummy. The museum gift shop sells good quality souvenirs. Admission free.
Gower Heritage Centre, Parkmill, Gower. Tel:+44 1792 371-206 . A rural life museum based around a working water mill - gift shop and cafe on site.
the Egypt Centre, Swansea University campus (near the Taliesin Art Centre), Tel:+44 1792 295-960, . Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. One of the UK's best collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts outside London. Free.
Attic Gallery, 140 Cambrian Place, Marina. Tel:+44 1792 653387. Open: F 10AM-5:30PM, Sa 10AM-4:30PM. Wales' oldest independent gallery - specializing in grass roots Welsh art. Admission free
Mission Gallery, Gloucester Place, Marina. Tel:+44 1792 652-016. A small independent gallery located in a converted sea-man's chapel. Open: Mo-Su 11AM-5PM. Entrance - free.
Exposure Art Gallery, 9 College Street. Tel:+44 1792 641313. M-Th 10AM–5PM, F,Sa 11AM–4PM. A city center gallery established by the Swansea Guild of Artists and sponsored by Air Wales. Admission free.
1940s Swansea Bay, Elba Crescent, Crymlyn Burrows (off Fabian Way - the main road linking the city center and M4 motorway) Tel:+44 1792 458-864, e-mail: [mailto: [email protected][email protected]] . This small museum invites visitors to experience life in Swansea during the second world war and through the blitz that devastated the city center. NB: This is definitely a museum in the making, and at present the entrance fee is probably a bit steep. However, for those interested in war memorabilia, it is worth a visit and the owners are very friendly and helpful. Open: March–Oct: 10AM–5PM, Nov–Feb:10AM–4PM (Closed 24-26 December, 1st January and Mondays Oct-March). The museum offers free parking and has a gift shop and cafe.
Mellow Mango, Café Nissé, 11 Wind Street, . A gallery in a cafe. Exhibits focus on the work of local artists.
Women in Jazz, Queen’s Buildings, Cambrian Place, Maritime Quarter. Tel:+44 1792 456-666. E-mail: [email protected]. A collection of several thousand audio and visual records, photographs, periodicals, paintings, stained glass windows, stage gowns, a library and an oral history collection.
Mumbles Lifeboat Museum, located on the slip road running off Mumbles Road to Mumbles Pier (near Verdi's Cafe). This small museum is dedicated to the memory of the heroic and sometimes tragic events in the history of the Mumbles Lifeboat. Open Mon-Sat and Sun morning.
Oriel Ceri Richards Gallery, Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea Univeristy. Tel:+44 1792 295-526 . Taliesin’s Oriel Ceri Richards Gallery not only hosts regular touring exhibitions, but also stocks an excellent range of greetings cards as well as jewellery, ceramics and other craft items. Open Monday to Saturday.
Elysium Art Space, 41 High Street. Tel:44 1792 641-313. Th-Su 11AM-5PM. A volunteer run space promoting the work of emerging artists. Admission free.
The Nick Holly Studio Gallery, Exchange Building, Cambrian Place, Maritime Quarter. Tel: +44 7971 343-366. . Showcases the work of local artists. Open: Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM. Admission free.
Swansea Bus Museum, SA1 Business Park, Fabian Way, Port Tennant. . An exhibit of over thirty buses that once plied the streets of Swansea and West Wales. Open: Mon-Fri 9AM-4PM, Sun 10AM-5PM. Admission free - donations welcome.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Swansea
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Swansea - updated Apr 2024
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Swansea Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
