Editing Swansea (section)

==Leisure and tourism==
[[File:LC building, Swansea.jpg|thumb|The [[LC, Swansea|LC]] leisure centre]]
A number of beaches around Swansea Bay are promoted to visitors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Swansea Bay Beach Guide |url=http://visitswanseabay.com/media/pdfwithtranslation/8/6/Beaches_Guide_English.pdf |publisher=City and County of Swansea |access-date=27 August 2010}} {{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Surfing is possible at [[Langland Bay]], [[Caswell Bay]] and [[Llangennith]], with the latter winning accolades from two national newspapers for the quality of its waves.<ref>{{cite web|title=Swansea Bay Sports and Activities&nbsp;– Watersports |url=http://www.abayoflife.com/en/visitingsports-and-activities/#water |publisher=Swansea Bay Futures |access-date=27 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707074115/http://www.abayoflife.com/en/visitingsports-and-activities/#water |archive-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> The {{convert|5|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on|adj=on}} promenade from the Marina to Mumbles offers views across Swansea Bay.<ref>{{cite web |title=Swansea Prom |url=http://www.swansea.gov.uk/media/pdfwithtranslation/3/j/Swansea_Prom_Brochure.pdf |publisher=City and County of Swansea |access-date=27 August 2010}} {{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The seaside village of [[Mumbles]] has a [[Victorian era|Victorian]] [[Mumbles Pier|pier]], small independent shops and boutiques, restaurants and cafes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mumbles|url=http://visitswanseabay.com/mumbles |publisher=City and County of Swansea|access-date=27 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605080900/http://visitswanseabay.com/Mumbles |archive-date=5 June 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The south coast of Gower is the chief magnet for walkers, with a path stretching from Mumbles Head across the cliff tops, beaches and coastal woodland to [[Rhossili]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Conduit |first=Brian |title=Pembrokeshire and Gower Walks |year=1998 |publisher=Jarrold / Ordnance Survey |isbn=0-7117-0611-5 |pages=12–13}}</ref>
[[File:Exhibition Hall, National Waterfront Museum - Swansea - geograph.org.uk - 1460400.jpg|thumb|The National Waterfront Museum]]
On the waterfront, Swansea Bay has a {{convert|5|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on|adj=on}} sweep of coastline<ref>{{cite web |title = Swansea Bay |publisher = Explore Gower |url = http://www.explore-gower.co.uk/Content/pa=showpage/pid=57 |access-date = 27 June 2008}} {{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> which features a beach, promenade, children's lido, leisure pool, marina and maritime quarter featuring the museums the [[National Waterfront Museum]] and [[Swansea Museum]], the oldest museum in Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://swanseamuseum.wordpress.com/|title=Swansea Museum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212013757/http://swanseamuseum.wordpress.com/ |archive-date=12 December 2013}}</ref> Also situated in the maritime quarter is the [[Dylan Thomas Centre]], which celebrates the life and work of the author with its permanent exhibition 'Dylan Thomas&nbsp;– Man and Myth',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dylanthomas.com/index.cfm?articleid=4458&splashpage=false |title=Dylan Thomas Centre |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115132954/http://www.dylanthomas.com/index.cfm?articleid=4458&splashpage=false |archive-date=15 November 2013}}</ref> and [[Mission Gallery]], a unique [[art gallery]] also in the heart of the Maritime Quarter which hosts a range of exhibitions from various art disciplines; it also host a craft space, with ranging works from local and international artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.missiongallery.co.uk/ |title=Mission Gallery |work=missiongallery.co.uk |access-date=19 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509104015/http://www.missiongallery.co.uk/ |archive-date=9 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Dylan Thomas Centre is the focal point for the annual Dylan Thomas Festival (27 October&nbsp;– 9 November). There is a permanent exhibition at the ''Dylan Thomas Birthplace and Home'' for 23 years in Uplands, which has been restored to its condition as a new house when bought by the Thomas family in 1914, a few months before Dylan was born in the front bedroom. The [[SA1 Waterfront]] area is the latest development for living, dining and leisure.<ref>[http://www.sa1swanseawaterfront.com/ SA1 Swansea Waterfront] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130104155138/http://www.sa1swanseawaterfront.com/ |date=4 January 2013}}</ref>
[[File:SwanseaBay.jpg|thumb|Sunset over Swansea Bay]]
Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower are home to various parks and gardens and almost 20 nature reserves.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=12116 |title=Swansea – Nature Reserves|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510070216/http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=12116 |archive-date=10 May 2013}}</ref> [[Clyne Valley Country Park|Clyne Gardens]] is home to a collection of plants set in parkland and host to 'Clyne in Bloom' in May. [[Singleton Park]] has acres of parkland, a botanical garden, a boating lake with pedal boats, and crazy golf. [[Plantasia]] is a tropical hothouse pyramid featuring three climatic zones, housing a variety of unusual plants, including several species which are extinct in the wild, and monkeys, reptiles, fish and a butterfly house. Other parks include [[Cwmdonkin Park]], where Dylan Thomas played as a child, and [[Victoria Park, Swansea|Victoria Park]] which is close to the promenade on the seafront.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1145|title=Swansea&nbsp;– Parks and green spaces|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|access-date=19 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507092034/http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1145|archive-date=7 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Oxwich Bay]] on the [[Gower Peninsula]] was named the most beautiful beach in the United Kingdom by travel writers who visited more than 1,000 beaches around the world in search of the perfect sands (2007). ''The Travel Magazine'' praised Oxwich for "magnificent and unspoilt" scenery and as a "great place for adults and children to explore".<ref>{{cite web |title=And the most beautiful beach in Britain is... |work=The Travel Magazine
|date=27 February 2007 |url=http://www.thetravelmagazine.net/i-941--and-the-most-beautiful-beach.html |access-date=27 June 2008
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606235229/http://www.thetravelmagazine.net/i-941--and-the-most-beautiful-beach.html |archive-date=6 June 2008 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> It has over three miles (5&nbsp;km) of sand and ''[[The Guardian]]'' named it one of Britain's blue-riband top 10 category beaches (2007).<ref>{{cite news
|title=10 sandy beaches |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2007/jul/14/beach.uk |access-date=27 June 2008 |location=London |date=13 July 2007 |first=Matthew |last=McCracken
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005112416/http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2007/jul/14/beach.uk |archive-date=5 October 2014 |url-status=live
}}</ref> ''[[The Independent]]'' newspaper hailed [[Rhossili Bay]] as "the British supermodel of beaches" (2006) and the best beach in Britain for breathtaking cliffs (2007),<ref>{{cite news
|title=The 50 Best: UK beaches (26–50)
|work=The Independent |date=26 June 2006
|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/the-50-best-uk-beaches-2650-480373.html |access-date=27 June 2008
|location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609032925/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/the-50-best-uk-beaches-2650-480373.html |archive-date=9 June 2008 |url-status=live
}}</ref> whilst ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' listed it as one of the 25 best beaches in the world (2006).<ref name="hillend">{{cite web |title=Hillend Camping Park
|publisher=Hillend Camping  |url=http://www.hillendcamping.co.uk/camping.html
|access-date=27 June 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080513103100/http://www.hillendcamping.co.uk/camping.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 13 May 2008}}</ref> Thanks to its clear air and lovely golden sand, this romantic stretch of sand was voted the best place in the UK to watch the sun set (''[[Country Living (magazine)|Country Living]]'' magazine 2005)<ref name="hillend"/> and one of the top romantic spots in the country (''The Guardian'' 2007).<ref>{{cite news |title=10 Romantic Settings
|newspaper=The Guardian |date=14 July 2007
|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2007/jul/14/beach.cornwall |access-date=27 June 2008 |location=London
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005112346/http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2007/jul/14/beach.cornwall
|archive-date=5 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Rhossili Bay|Llangennith Beach]], with its soft sands, consistent beach break and great facilities, was listed as the best place to learn how to surf in Britain by [[The Observer]] (2006)<ref>{{cite news |title=Learning to surf
|work=The Observer |date=13 August 2006
|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/aug/13/surfing.watersports.unitedkingdom |access-date=27 June 2008
|location=London |first1=Demi |last1=Taylor |first2=Chris
|last2=Nelson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925095222/http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/aug/13/surfing.watersports.unitedkingdom |archive-date=25 September 2014
|url-status=live }}</ref> and one of the 10 'classic surfing beaches by ''The Guardian'' (2007).<ref>{{cite news |title=Top 10 UK surf spots |work=The Guardian
|date=11 October 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2007/oct/11/surfing.top10 |access-date=27 June 2008 |location=London
|first=Alf |last=Alderson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827042712/http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2007/oct/11/surfing.top10
|archive-date=27 August 2013 |url-status=live
}}</ref> Gower also claims Britain's Best Beach, [[Three Cliffs Bay]]. The Gower landmark topped the BBC Holiday Hit Squad nationwide competition (2006)<ref>{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Robin |title=We love... Three Cliffs Bay |publisher=WalesOnline |date=26 September 2006
|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_objectid=17818375&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=three-cliffs-bay-name_page.html |access-date=27 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013075910/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_objectid%3D17818375%26method%3Dfull%26siteid%3D50082%26headline%3Dthree-cliffs-bay-name_page.html |archive-date=13 October 2012 |url-status=live
}}</ref> and was voted Britain's best camping beach by ''The Independent'' thanks to its superb setting and quiet location (2007).<ref>{{cite news |title=The 50 Best: Camping sites |work=The Independent
|date=26 June 2006 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/the-50-best-camping-sites-125-480374.html |access-date=27 June 2008
|location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630092625/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/the-50-best-camping-sites-125-480374.html |archive-date=30 June 2008 |url-status=live
}}</ref> [[Three Cliffs Bay]] also made the final of the [[ITV (television)|ITV]] series ''Britain's Favourite View''&nbsp;– the only nomination in Wales and backed by singer [[Katherine Jenkins]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Gower Peninsula
|publisher=ITV |date=6 August 2007 |url=https://www.itv.com/Entertainment/reality/BritainFavouriteView/Weekone/TheGowerPeninsula/default.html
|access-date=27 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803202348/http://www.itv.com/Entertainment/reality/BritainFavouriteView/Weekone/TheGowerPeninsula/default.html |archive-date=3 August 2008 |url-status=live
}}</ref> Nearby [[Brandy Cove]] came sixth in an online poll to find the UK's top beach for the baby boomer generation (2006).<ref>{{cite web |title=Welsh beaches a mecca for the over-50s |publisher=WalesOnline
|date=17 August 2006 |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_objectid=17575780&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=dynamic-baby-boomers-vote-four-wales-beaches-into-the-uk-s-top-six-leaving--elderly--bournemouth-behind---name_page.html |access-date=27 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013075935/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_objectid%3D17575780%26method%3Dfull%26siteid%3D50082%26headline%3Ddynamic-baby-boomers-vote-four-wales-beaches-into-the-uk-s-top-six-leaving--elderly--bournemouth-behind---name_page.html |archive-date=13 October 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Beaches which won 2006 [[Blue Flag Beach]] Awards are: [[Bracelet Bay]], [[Caswell Bay]], [[Langland Bay]], [[Port Eynon Bay]] and Swansea Marina (one of the few Blue Flag Marinas in Wales). All of these beaches also won a [[Seaside Award]] 2006. [[Limeslade]] was awarded the Rural Seaside Award and the [[Green Coast Award]]. Other Green Coast Awards went to Pwll Du, [[Rhossili Bay]] and [[Tor Bay]].

===Activities===
Swansea has a range of facilities for activities including [[sailing]], [[water skiing]], [[surfing]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?Articleid=13019 |title=Visit Swansea Bay&nbsp;– Watersports |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028161655/http://www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?articleid=13019 |archive-date=28 October 2008}}</ref> [[walking]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?Articleid=13016 |title=Visit Swansea Bay&nbsp;– Walking |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916185710/http://www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?articleid=13016 |archive-date=16 September 2008}}</ref> and cycling.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?Articleid=12997 |title=Visit Swansea Bay&nbsp;– Cycling and Mountain Biking |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122085455/http://www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?Articleid=12997 |archive-date=22 January 2009}}</ref> Part of the [[Celtic Trail]] and the [[National Cycle Network]], Swansea Bay provides a range of traffic-free cycle routes including along the seafront and through [[Clyne Valley Country Park]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitswanseabay.com/media/pdf/q/d/Cycling_Map.jpg.pdf |title=Swansea Cycling Map|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030183341/http://www.visitswanseabay.com/media/pdf/q/d/Cycling_Map.jpg.pdf|archive-date=30 October 2008}}</ref> The Cycling Touring Club [[Cyclists' Touring Club|CTC]] has a local group in the area.<ref>{{cite web |title=CTC- (Cyclist Touring Club) Swansea and West Wales Member Group |url=http://swanseacycling.webs.com/ |access-date=20 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327194607/http://swanseacycling.webs.com/ |archive-date=27 March 2012
|url-status=dead}}</ref> Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower have a selection of [[golf course]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?Articleid=13004 |title=Visit Swansea Bay&nbsp;– Golf|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028161431/http://www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?articleid=13004 |archive-date=28 October 2008}}</ref>

Prior to closure in 2003, [[Swansea Leisure Centre]] was one of the top ten visitor attractions in the Wales; it has been redeveloped as an indoor waterpark, rebranded the ''LC'',<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/3265851.stm | title=Swansea Leisure Centre to shut |work=BBC News |access-date=26 July 2007 |date=13 November 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313152055/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/3265851.stm |archive-date=13 March 2007 | url-status=live }}</ref> and was officially opened by Queen [[Elizabeth II]] on 7 March 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=10883 |title = Swansea's New Leisure Centre |publisher = City and County of Swansea |year = 2007 |access-date = 6 December 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071102193320/http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=10883 |archive-date = 2 November 2007 |df = dmy-all}}</ref> The [[Wales National Pool]] is in Swansea.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_west/3913383.stm |title=National Pool 'not just for elite' | work=BBC News |access-date=27 July 2007 |date=21 July 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408155809/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_west/3913383.stm | archive-date=8 April 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Nightlife===
Swansea has a number of pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants and a casino.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grosvenorcasinos.com/casinodetails/?action=show_facilities&casino_code=208 |title=Grosvenor Casino Swansea &#124; One amazing venue&nbsp;– One great night out |publisher=Grosvenorcasinos.com |date=11 June 2013 |access-date=12 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124201713/http://www.grosvenorcasinos.com/casinodetails/?action=show_facilities&casino_code=208 |archive-date=24 January 2013  }}</ref> Swansea had two casinos until 30 August 2012 when Aspers closed. The majority of city centre bars are situated on [[Wind Street]]. Some venues feature live music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?Articleid=24785|title=Visit Swansea Bay&nbsp;– Nightlife|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122085602/http://www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?Articleid=24785|archive-date=22 January 2009}}</ref> The [[Mumbles]] Mile, described by the BBC as "one of Wales's best-known [[pub crawl]]s", declined in the early 21st century and a number of local pubs were converted into flats or restaurants.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/6313023.stm |title=Closures shrink famous pub crawl |date=31 January 2007 |work=BBC News |access-date=29 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019230659/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/6313023.stm |archive-date=19 October 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>