Pitsmoezen

If you are thinking of staying in the UK rather than flying abroad this summer then a warm Welsh welcome awaits visitors to the city of Swansea and its surrounding area in glorious South Wales. Easily accessible by car arriving via the M4 or by regular rail links from Bristol and beyond, Swansea sits at the head of the fabulous Gower Peninsula – an area of outstanding natural beauty.

If arriving by train, on leaving the station look carefully for the floor tile on which is inscribed a quote from Swansea-born poet and writer Dylan Thomas proclaiming: “ambition is critical”; such an enduring one-liner that it was used for Swansea’s Community Strategy document published in 2004 – part of an overall push to get Swansea back onto the map as a pleasant place to visit.

The second most populous city in Wales – only the capital Cardiff is bigger – Swansea has been continually inhabited since Viking times. However, much of the city centre has been redeveloped since the Second World War following three successive nights of Luftwaffe night bombings in February 1941 that caused considerable damage.

The city sits at the mouth of the River Tawe on Swansea Bay on the eastern edge of the Gower Peninsula, which in 1956 became the first district in the UK to be declared an area of outstanding natural beauty. A perennially popular holiday destination The Gower boasts some of the most outstanding sandy beaches in the UK, which are declared dog-free every summer from May 1st until September 30th inclusive to make way for holidaymakers. Indeed, the whole peninsula is easy to reach using Swansea as a base.

And just like in the city itself, you’ll be assured a warm welcome at Swansea hotels and B&Bs which range from independently owned, non-rated accommodation to opulent five-star luxury. For those opting to stay in Swansea a visit to The Mumbles is a must. It’s an area of Swansea Bay that merits special mention due to its wonderful sandy beach on which you can opt to laze in the sun, join the surf academy or even go kite riding. The Mumbles is an affluent area of the city where nightlife options include fine gourmet dining, a huge choice of pubs and several wine bars.

For lovers of sport professional teams are well represented in the city, including Swansea City who will be competing in the Football League Coca-Cola Championship starting in August 2009, along with Rugby Union’s Ospreys who participate in the Magners League. Both teams play their league home games at the marvellous Liberty Stadium; an almost new-facility that was opened in 2006.

But, whether you come to Swansea for the city attractions, sport, the nearby Gower Peninsula or any of the other attractions that South Wales has to offer you will want to return time and time again to this beautiful city.