25 great days out this summer
Do the looming school holidays fill you with dread as you wonder how to keep the family entertained through the weeks of scorching sun and inevitable rain? Then take comfort from the fact that Swansea is surrounded by spectacular beaches and beautiful countryside. Better still, the area is full of fascinating visitor centres, museums and attractions, many of which offer special summer events and activities. Here’s our lowdown on some of the best ways to keep yourself (and the kids) entertained all summer.
Edible entertainment
Fruit picking
Why is it that food you’ve picked yourself always seems to taste better? For fruit-picking in a scenic setting this summer, head to Nicholaston Farm in Gower, where strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and redcurrants are available. The farm has its own café where you can relax after your efforts, and makes a perfect part of a day out on Gower – maybe with a visit to the beach afterwards. www.nicholastonfarm.co.uk
Farmers’ Markets
A visit to a farmer’s market is more than a shopping trip – it’s a chance to learn more about the wonderful produce grown and made locally, and to sample as much of it as possible! Swansea and the surrounding area benefits from several thriving farmers’ markets, and it’s worth visiting each of them because the selection of products available varies from one to the other. To find out where and when the markets take place, see our guide to local markets on page 132.
Grow your own
At Swansea Community Farm you can learn to grow your own fruit and vegetables, and this month the farm is holding a special organic gardening family workday, when the whole
family can don their wellies and take part in the work of a real farm. The event runs from 8.30am until 3.30pm on Saturday, July 17.
www.swanseacommunityfarm.org.uk
Get back to nature
Gelli Aur Country Park
Gelli Aur — or Golden Grove to use the English translation — is a magnificent 60-acre country park in Carmarthenshire set around an imposing mansion. Nature trails thread through woods, parkland, ponds and a meadow where five different species of orchid can be spotted in the summer months. There’s also a 20-acre deer park and an arboretum comprising 10-acres of mature trees such as giant redwood, monterey pine and fern-leaved beech. The park has a programme of activities and events running throughout the summer.
Afan Argoed Country Park
This breathtaking woodland park is one of Britain’s top mountain biking destinations thanks to its steep, mountainous paths. It’s also a wonderful place for a country walk – and don’t worry; there are separate paths for walkers and cyclists so you won’t get mown down! There are several fun, family-friendly activities running from the visitor centre over the summer, including a family environmental activity day on July 28 (10am-2pm), fossil hunt on August 4 (starts 2pm) and an evening with bats on July 23 (starts 8:30pm). www.afanforestpark.co.uk
Dynevor Park
If you love country walks and castles, Dynevor park in Llandeilo makes a perfect day out. The vast landscaped park encompasses a romantic ruined castle with breathtaking views from its battlements and a magnificent manor house with a tea room and views of the deer park. There’s also a wooded boardwalk that’s perfect for families with pushchairs or wheelchair users.
Gower Wildflower Centre
This family-run, eco-friendly centre is a unique opportunity to discover the wildlife, habitats, plants and animals of Gower. To find out more, read Jean Marris’s account of her visit on page 32.
Plantasia
Swansea’s magical indoor jungle makes a perfect solution to a rainy day. Children love exploring the jungle of tropical plants, amid which you’ll find a carp-filled pond and tamarin monkeys. There’s also a mini zoo full of fascinating reptiles and creepy crawlies. Special events this summer include animal handling sessions on August 10 to 12 when visitors will have the chance to get close to owls and other birds of prey.
Take part in the action
Try archery
Set on a hillside in Penmaen with beautiful views over Oxwich Bay, Perriswood Archery Centre is a perfect place to try your hand at archery under the watchful eye of a skilled instructor. On rainy days there’s also an indoor archery area. Another major attraction is the centre’s superb collection of birds of prey and a menagerie of smaller animals to keep children entertained.
Go riding
Take to the hills on horseback this summer with a visit to Cimla equestrian centre. The centre provides riding lessons, horse and pony trekking and riding holidays for all ages and abilities. A family business run in conjunction with T-Bones Restaurant and Green Lantern Guest House, the centre is situated in the Afan Argoed Country Park, famous for its scenic forests and mountainous terrain (see above).
Learn to surf
While the colder months may bring better waves, summer is undoubtedly the most fun and easy time of the year to learn to surf — and with so many wonderful surfing beaches in the area, you won’t be short of opportunities to practice your new-found skills. If you’re looking for classes, take a look at what’s available from www.lloydcolesurfacademy.co.uk, which is run by Lloyd Cole, three times Welsh champion, a former British and European team member and head coach for the Welsh Surfing Federation.
Take the plunge
If you prefer to swim in calmer waters, Swansea has some excellent indoor pools – notably the LC2 with its fantastic slides, and the Wales National Pool, which is ideal for anyone who likes to swim for fitness. The pool also offers various fitness classes and special ‘splash and play’ sessions for children and families – check out www.walesnationalpoolswansea.co.uk for times.
Coastal adventures
Seaside safaris
Instead of simply basking on the beach this summer, find out all about the fascinating creatures that inhabit our coastline by taking part in a seashore safari. Led by marine biologist Judith Oakley, these fun events take place at various Gower beaches, and will introduce you to the amazing hidden life of our coastline. Call 07879 837817 for details.
Pembrey Country Park
With its vast golden beach fringed by dunes, Pembrey is a perfect place to enjoy the summer sun but has the added benefit of an extensive country park where you can try your hand at a huge variety of outdoor pursuits. To name just a few there’s a thrilling toboggan run, a crazy golf course, a dry ski slope, pony trekking and countless tracks and trails to explore on bike or on foot.
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Penclacwydd
A fabulous day out for all the family, the Wildfowl and Wetlands centre includes acres of beautiful wetlands dotted with hides from which you can watch the wildfowl, and a network of enclosures where rare and foreign breeds of ducks and geese are raised. Children get the chance to feed the ducks, and there are plenty of fun activities taking place throughout most days, ranging from pond dipping to arts and crafts. The centre also offers free bike hire and canoe safaris. www.wwt.org.uk
A slice of history
Waterfront Museum
Swansea’s wonderful waterfront museum makes a perfect day out in any weather but really comes into its own on a rainy day when you’re struggling to find interesting activities for the family. The ongoing exhibits give a fascinating, interactive insight into Swansea’s maritime history in particular. Over the summer the museum hosts a long list of fun events and activities, including a chance to make your own skipping rope from August 9 to 13 and, from August 20 to 22, solar-powered film-making workshops. Visit the museum’s website for age restrictions and further details. www.museumwales.ac.uk
Kidwelly Castle
A must for anyone who loves history and beautiful views, Kidwelly Castle makes a fascinating day out for all the family. An impressive structure dating from the early 12th Century, it houses informative exhibitions detailing its history and has plenty of space for children to run around and explore. The castle has a programme of events and activities running throughout the summer.
Swansea Museum
Swansea Museum’s permanent displays include a fine example of an Egyptian mummy, a superb archaeological gallery giving insight into the history and pre-history of the local area, and an intriguing cabinet of curiosities. A new exhibition this summer is The Road Ahead, which traces the history of transport on two wheels and four in the local area, covering everything from fossil fuels to green energy. The exhibition opens July 31 and runs until January.
Gower Heritage Centre
There’s plenty at the Gower Heritage Centre to keep a whole family entertained for a day. The centre’s rural life museum is based around a working 12th Century water-mill and gives a fascinating insight into the way people used to live and work in Wales. There’s a small animal farm with chicks, ducks, baby rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, sheep, lambs and horses, an old fashioned games arcade and various play areas. You’ll also find shops selling local arts and crafts, and La Charrette - Wales' smallest cinema. www.gowerheritagecentre.co.uk
The National Trust
While stately homes may be the National Trust’s bread and butter, its Wales properties are delightfully diverse and offer plenty of novel ideas for a day out. A short drive from Swansea is Aberdulais Falls, a breathtaking waterfall that’s also a fascinating slice of Wales’s industrial history. A picturesque drive into the depths of Carmarthenshire will take you to the Dolaucothi Goldmines, a beautiful wooded site in the Cothi valley, where gold has been mined since Roman times. Guided underground tours allow you to experience the conditions of the Roman, Victorian and 1930s underground workings.
Special summer events
Gower show
If you enjoy days out in the countryside, the annual Gower Show is a day not to be missed, and offers something for the whole family. This year’s show takes place on Sunday, August 1, in the beautiful grounds of Penrice Castle Park, Reynoldston. The show will offer classes for livestock, horses, show-jumping, poultry, honey, cookery, horticulture, crops, stick-making and vintage engines. There are plenty of fun activities for children, including the chance to make arts and crafts for display in the show, and a children’s fancy dress competition. www.gowershow.co.uk
Gower Polo
Following the success of Beach Polo @ Swansea Bay in 2009, organiser Arwel Richards decided to find a permanent and suitable venue for polo in the Swansea area. The charming setting of Oldwalls in Gower proved just the ticket, and on August 22 the venue will host a turf arena polo match between Eddie’s Angels and Eleo’s Icons. The event promises to be a spectacular day out, featuring live entertainment, a hog roast, a retail area showcasing the best of clothing, food and speciality drinks from the area and a lengthy post match party. www.gowerpolo.co.uk
Margam Festival
This year’s Margam Festival runs at Margam Park from July 4 to 31. The festival has grown into one of the biggest cultural events in the area, offering a diverse range of music, dance, children’s shows, and more. The park is also worth a visit on any day throughout the summer. It has its own farm, woodland walks, a superb adventure playground and, of course, the fairytale village with its miniature houses. For adventurous grown-ups and older kids there’s also the Go Ape treetop activity trail.
Aberavon Beach Festival
Aberavon beach is an increasingly popular destination for a family day out. A magnificent stretch of golden sand with views across Swansea Bay to Mumbles, it is popular with surfers, jetskiers, windsurfers and kite surfers and is safe for swimming, kayaking and boating. And kids can cool down in the aquaspash children’s play pool. Every year a beach festival takes centre stage on the seafront. This year’s festival takes place on July 10 from 10am until 5.30pm. Entry is free and attractions include a climbing wall, laser range, aircraft cockpit simulator and fairground.
Sea Swansea
On August 14 and 15 the National Waterfront Museum hosts a free weekend of activities with a nautical theme. One of the major attractions will be The Matthew, a replica tudor merchant ship, which will sail in from Bristol. There will be plenty of free entertainment, and children are invited to dress up to take part in the Best Dressed Pirate competition.
Wonderful Wildflowers
Gower Wildflower and Local Produce Centre is an eco-friendly delight combining wonderful local food with a showcase of Gower’s biodiversity. Jean Marris reports.
A riot of wildflowers, butterflies and bees greet you at the Gower Wildflower and Local Produce Centre, one of the area’s newest and most unique attractions.
A delight for everyone from conservationists to foodies, it is run by three members of the same family: Dave Holland, his wife Rachel and her brother Greg Sandles, who, although still in his 30s, has retired from the military after 20 years’ service.
The growth of wildflowers is managed here on completely organic lines with no insecticides, pesticides or artificial fertilisers – and the result is a haven for dragonflies, damselflies and other types of wildlife.
The green philosophy is carried through every aspect of the centre: all waste water, for example, from kitchen and toilets is directed to a bio-digester which adds ‘friendly bacteria’ to the waste. Then it flows through a series of reed beds which naturally purify it and into a pond which supports a wide variety of wildlife in perfect health. From here it seeps back into the local aquifer or porous rock to join the natural underground water table; a perfect example of recycling!
The heating and hot water supply in the shop/cafeteria is more than adequately provided by about 250 metres of water-filled, coiled pipes buried in trenches and warmed by solar heat even when the sun isn't shining. This system can be switched over in hot weather to provide air conditioning. However, the temperature is kept naturally fairly constant anyway, by an amazing roof on which grow various plants such as sedum, which, with its fleshy leaves, conserves its own water supply in dry weather. The result is warmth in cold weather and coolness in heat, thanks to its leafy insulation.
Inside the centre, your eye is caught by a mouth-watering delicatessen area supplying local produce, including wild garlic sausages (the garlic picked in Bishopston Valley by Dave's three children) and home-made ready meals in the deep freezer. Locally grown fruit and vegetables are on sale, together with charcuterie produced in the area.
For those who want to eat in, there are some wickedly delectable cakes, all home-made. Free range smoked duck breast is also available, served with home-grown salad, home made onion relish and Celtic bread.
Greg is in charge of cooking. His brother-in-law is an ecologist and deals with the plant nursery and the management of the wildflower centre, which is a beautiful area bordering a pond with all the attendant wild life. You can walk through it using a path made from cockle shells, identifying the surrounding wildflowers by consulting the illustrated information boards around the area. For children, there’s a willow igloo and mini meadow to explore within safe view of the café. And where is this embryonic Utopia? It's in Blackhills, not 20 minutes drive away from Swansea city centre. Take the sign-posted turning opposite the airport, drive for about a mile and you're there.
