swansea visit hours

29 places to visit that are an hour's drive from Swansea

Perhaps you've lived in Swansea all your life, or maybe you're just here for a weekend... either way, you'll find something new to do here

• 13:57, 24 JUL 2018

Want the latest news from Swansea sent straight to your inbox?

We have more newsletters

Swansea is the city by the sea and there are always plenty of brilliant things to do.

But if you want to discover something new then there are some amazing places just a short drive away.

Whether you want to visit beautiful gardens, soak up history or do something brand new, we've found some top-notch things to do near Swansea .

We've estimated times and the distance from the city centre, but check for traffic updates ahead of your trip.

1. Margam Abbey and park

The imposing ruins of Margam Abbey, which was founded in 1147, and its neighbouring castle are an impressive sight.

Then there is Margam Park with its wild deer, farm animals to stroke, a train around the grounds, acres of grass to run around on and a grand old stately home.

Entry to the park is free although there are charges for parking.

Visit the Margam Park website for more information.

Where: Port Talbot

Distance from Swansea: 20 minutes/13 miles

2. The National Botanic Garden of Wales

Wander through the grounds which boast an amazing collection of over 8,000 different plant varieties spread across 560 acres of beautiful countryside.

The attraction has the world’s largest single spanned glasshouse which displays Mediterranean climate zone plants.

It is also the first botanic garden in Britain to be crowned Dark Sky Discovery Site.

It costs £11 (which includes Gift Aid) for adults, children (5-16) £5 (which includes Gift Aid) and under fives go free.

Visit the National Botanic Garden of Wales' website for more information.

Where: Llanarthne

Distance from Swansea: 32 minutes/24 miles

3. Pembrey Country Park

A unique blend of coast and countryside means this park has something for everyone.

There are eight miles of golden sands at Cefn Sidan, 550 acres of woodlands, caravan and camping pitches and picnic and BBQ sites.

You won't be short of things to do since activities on offer include horse riding, the longest toboggan run in Wales, a dry ski slope, adventure playground and outdoor laser tag.

There are car parking charges.

This is what the toboggan run is like:

Visit Pembrey Country Park's website for more information

Where: Pembrey

Distance from Swansea: 47 minutes/25 miles

4. Dylan’s Boathouse

Dylan Thomas lived at his beloved boathouse for the last four years of his life.

The Swansea born writer is also thought to have penned Do Not Go Gentle and the “play for voices” Under Milk Wood at the boathouse.

It is now a tea room and art gallery.

It costs £4.30 for adults and £3.30 for concessions.

Visit the boathouse website for more information.

Where: Laugharne

Distance from Swansea: 52 minutes/43 miles

5. Manor Wildlife Park

Run by the ex-TV presenter Anna Ryder Richardson, this zoo is home to dozens of exciting animals and range from the exotic, like tigers, to the more familiar, like goats.

It costs £13.95 for adults and £11.95 for children. Children under two go free.

Visit manorwildlifepark.co.uk for more information.

Where: Tenby

Distance from Swansea: 1 hour 6 minutes/52.4 miles

6. Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary

This brilliant place rescues monkeys and apes from zoos and laboratories and gives them a better life.

It is £8.50 for adults, juniors (aged three to 14 years) are £5 and children under three go free.

Visit their website for more information.

Where: Abercrave

Distance from Swansea: 35 minutes/19.2 miles

7. Ice hockey

Cheer on the Cardiff Devils at Ice Arena Wales. The £16m rink houses two ice pads and seating for 3,000 spectators.

Visit cardiffdevils.com for more information.

Where: Cardiff Bay

Distance from Swansea: 49 minutes/42.7 miles

8. Castell Coch

This 19th century Gothic Revival castle, with its colourful interior and beautiful woodland setting, looks like it is straight out of a fairytale .

It costs £6.90 for adults and £120 for a family.

Visit cadw.gov.wales for more information.

Where: Tongwynlais

Distance from Swansea: 48 minutes/38.8 miles

9. Ffos Las Racecourse

Set in 600 acres of beautiful Carmarthenshire countryside, the horse racing and conferencing venue was built on the site of the largest open cast mine in Europe.

Visit the website for more information.

Where: Trimsaran

Distance from Swansea: 38 minutes/18 miles

Explore Swansea

10. St Fagans

St Fagan’s National History Museum brings the past to life with over 40 original buildings from different historical periods. It's open daily 10am-5pm.

No entry fee but it costs £5 for car parking.

Visit the St Fagans website for more information.

Where: Cardiff

Distance from Swansea: 44 minutes/37 miles

11. Dinefwr Park and Castle

Dinefwr’s historic parkland is famed for its abundance of wildlife and stunning valley views. Some of the 'veteran' trees are thought to be over 700 years old.

Take in the scenery and climb the hill to Dinefwr Castle for some brilliant views.

Entry costs £8.50 for adults and £4.25 for children.

Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/dinefwr for more information.

Where: Llandeilo

Distance from Swansea: 44 minutes/25 miles

12. Aberglasney Gardens

Set in the Tywi Valley, Aberglasney’s gardens are among the finest in Wales, with the oldest parts dating back to 1477. It costs £8.50 for adults and free for children aged up to 16.

Where: Llangathen

Distance from Swansea: 40 minutes/26.3 miles

13. Llanelly House

Llanelly House was the family home of the Stepney family of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, and was built in 1714 by the Sir Thomas Stepney, then Carmarthenshire MP, on the site of an earlier building.

At the time it was an example of super-fashionable architectural design: a Roman-style dwelling. The obvious grandeur of the house was a nod to the immense wealth and power of the Stepneys.

It became a Post Office in the 19th century. However, by the turn of the 21st century, it was tired and rundown and in need of extensive strengthening work to ensure its structural survival.

Its transformation was ultimately achieved with the help of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Now you can enjoy various tours of the house including one by torchlight which tells ghostly tales of Llanelly’s past and they hold exhibitions there too.

A tour costs £7.70 for adults including Gift Aid and £4.40 for children up to 12 years, which includes Gift Aid.

Visit llanelly-house.org.uk for more information.

Where: Llanelli

Distance from Swansea: 28 minutes/12.2 miles

14. Folly Farm

There are more than 250 animals, including lions, penguins and giraffes and rhinos. You'll also find meerkats, zebra, exotic parrots, snakes, and iguanas.

There is also a vintage funfair, an area to meet farmyard animals. It costs £15.50 on the gate for adults and £13.30 for children, but you can save 15% by booking online.

Visit folly-farm.co.uk for more information.

Where: Kilgetty

Distance from Swansea: 1 hour/49 miles

15. Llanelli Wetland Centre

With their bright pink feathers, you certainly won't have any trouble spotting the flock of flamingos at the nature reserve. Have a go at pond dipping and watch for wildlife from the hideouts too.

It costs £9.50 for adults and £6 for children between 4-16 years which includes Gift Aid. Children under four go free.

Visit wwt.org.uk for more information.

Distance from Swansea: 24 minutes/10.3 miles

16. Take the boat out to idyllic Caldey Island

A trip to Tenby on a sunny day is easy enough, but next time you should hop on a boat and head to Caldey Island. It's been home to a monastery since the 6th century, and still houses a community of Cistercian monks.

You can visit the Old Priory and medieval churches, and walk up to the lighthouse.

There are tea rooms, a post office and museum, a shop selling perfume and toiletries made by the Monks of Caldey as well as chocolate and fudge.

Visit caldey-island.co.uk

Distance from Swansea: 1 hour 9 minutes/52 miles

17. Kidwelly Castle

A dazzling medieval fortress in a commanding position, Kidwelly Castle is well-preserved.

The earliest castle on the site was Norman and made of earth and timber. By the 13th century the castle had been rebuilt in stone. Kidwelly benefited from the latest thinking in castle design. It wasn’t completed until 1422, thanks in part to Owain Glyndŵr’s efforts to stop it going up in the first place.

It costs £4 for adults and £2.40 for students and children under 16.

Where: Carmarthenshire

Distance from Swansea: 44 minutes/22 miles

18. Colby Woodland Garden

Colby Woodland Garden is an informal eight-acre garden created in the early 20th century is in a secluded valley is part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

It bursts with colour and fabulous scents in springtime.

It costs £8 for adults and £4 for children and that includes Gift Aid.

Visit nationaltrust.org.uk for more information.

Where: Near Amroth

Distance from Swansea: 57 minutes/46 miles

19. Ewenny Priory

One of Wales' finest fortified religious buildings, the priory was founded in 1141 by Maurice de Londres, and the village of Ewenny grew up around it. The church is open daily to visitors from 9.30am to 5.30pm. Church services, Holy days and festivals are announced on the notice sheet outside.

Visit www.ewennypriory.co.uk for more information.

Where: Vale of Glamorgan

Distance from Swansea: 33 minutes/23 miles

20. Dan yr Ogof caves

Dan-yr-Ogof is a 15km long cave system, one of the most extensive in Western Europe.

The caves were uncovered almost a century ago by two brothers, and feature underground lakes, rivers and two spectacular 40ft waterfalls.

There are also rock formations including stalagmites and stalactites dating back thousands and, in some cases, millions of years.

There is also a dinosaur park with more than 200 life-sized dinosaur models.

Visit www.showcaves.co.uk for more information.

Distance from Swansea: 37 minutes/21 miles

21. Waterfall Country

The Vale of Neath boasts nine waterfalls set in a stunning vista of mountains and steep side valleys.

Waterfall Country, as the area is known, has long been an inspiration to many artists including landscape painter Turner, who travelled here to paint Aberdulais Falls, a site now in the ownership of the National Trust.

And locals claim some of the idyllic woodland settings of some of William Shakespeare’s romantic plays were inspired by a visit the bard made to South Wales and the Vale of Neath in particular.

Visit Neath Port Talbot Council's website for more information.

Where: Vale of Neath

Distance from Swansea: 17 minutes/10.5 miles

22. Barry Island

Go on the rides, eat fish and chips, play on the slots, build a sand castle - and anything else you can think of.

Or if you are a Gavin and Stacey fan, then you can take in all the sites and landmarks of the show with a tour.

Distance from Swansea: 57 minutes/42 miles

23. Dyffryn Gardens

The Grade II listed house and its Grade I listed garden were created by Welsh coal baron John Cory and his family after he bought the site in the late 19th century.

With the help of Thomas Mawson, regarded by many as the leading architect of the Edwardian era, the Cory family developed a spectacular garden stretching over 55 acres, including formal lawns, an arboretum and a collection of themed “garden rooms”, such as a Mediterranean garden and rose garden.

The entire estate passed into the hands of the Vale of Glamorgan council in 1996, and has undergone extensive restoration, with the help of over £6m in funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Today, Dyffryn Gardens is a visitor attraction open all year round. It costs £11 for adults, £5.50 for children and £28 for families.

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk for more information.

Where: St Nicholas

Distance from Swansea: 48 minutes/40 miles

24. Paxton's Tower

Paxton’s Tower was erected between 1806-09 by the Scottish born landowner and former East India Company man, William Paxton.

The structure’s original name, Nelson’s Tower, provides a clue as to the reason it was built. Additionally, memorial plaques in Welsh, English and Latin, and three stained glass windows depicting Nelson, make it clear the tower was built in memory of the naval hero who lost his life at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Now a Grade II listed building under the care of the National Trust, Paxton’s Tower is a visitor attraction along with Paxton’s former estate, nowadays the site of the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

Distance from Swansea: 36 minutes/25.4 miles

25. Rhondda Heritage Park

Stick your helmets on in the lamp room and get down the pits.

Where: Trehafod

Distance from Swansea: 54 minutes/34 miles

High-adrenaline rope swinging which is not for the faint-hearted.

Visit goape.co.uk for more information.

Distance from Swansea: 19 minutes/12.6 miles

Places to stay in Wales

27. Kenfig Nature Reserve

Follow the sandy tracks and boardwalks through this rich wildlife reserve. You'll forget the M4 is zooming past just yards away.

Visit first-nature.com for more information.

Where: Bridgend

Distance from Swansea: 26 minutes/16 miles

28. Stargaze in the Brecon Beacons

The only Dark-Sky reserve in Wales is situated in the Brecon Beacons and if weather conditions are clear you can see the Milky Way, major constellations, bright nebulas and even meteor showers.

There are various places to go, and the National Park Visitor Centre is one. You can see a list of other sites here .

Where: Brecon

Distance from Swansea: 52 minutes/41 miles

29. Gwili Steam Railway

There are events where you can enjoy lunch on the train or high tea with Prosecco, or you can just enjoy round-trip taking in the sights.

A standard service return is £12 for adults and £6 for children, under threes go free.

Where: Carmarthen

Distance from Swansea: 44 minutes/31 miles

• Things to do Wales
• Most Recent

National Waterfront Museum

• 中文
• Español
• Français
• Get Involved

We can’t tell Wales’ story without you.

Donate Today

The GRAFT garden project

What's On Today Tomorrow This Week -->

Swansea science festival, dandiya dancing, making waves – rnli cymru 200, local history and heritage fair, digital events today tomorrow this week -->, christmas at amgueddfa cymru, creative courses, virtual visits for schools, amgueddfa cymru shop, get our monthly e-newsletter, connect with us on social media, blogs and articles, trilobites in wales, a can of worms – what are marine bristleworms and why are they so important, a conversation with theatr na n'óg, volunteering: get involved with cataloguing & cleaning collections at the national slate museum, reclaiming narratives through creative interventions at st fagans national history museum, meeting microscopic marvels.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Swansea Museum

• Cymraeg ( Welsh )

Visit Swansea Museum

Swansea Museum is the oldest museum in Wales, and a fascinating treasure house of Swansea’s history.  The collections contain all kinds of objects from the past of Swansea, Wales and the rest of the world.

In the main museum building we have everything from an Egyptian mummy to a Welsh Kitchen, displayed in six galleries.  There are also many changing temporary exhibitions each year.

Planning your visit

Swansea Museum’s Quiet Hour is from 15:30 to 16:30 every day. All screens and sounds will be switched off during this time.

• Permanent Galleries & Temporary Exhibitions
• Free Activities & Events
• 2 Accessible
• 1 changing station
• All with free period products provided by STOPP
• Outdoor picnic area
• Onsite Parking (see details below)
• Lift to all floors (please check on the day of your visit to ensure lift is available)

If you have any questions or concerns, please ring 01792653763 or email the museum.

Parking at Swansea Museum

At the front of the museum we have spaces for four visitor’s cars. (free)

At the back of the museum there are five spaces for cars for visitors. This is a gated car park and is open from 10:00 till 16:00. (free)

There are four to five spaces across the road at the front of the museum with a 1 hour no return limit. (free)

At the side of the museum, just outside our back car park, there are two to three disabled spaces. (free)

The nearest car park is northwest of the museum, across the A4067 on York Street – the City Gates NCP car park. The next closest is to the East of the museum – East Burrows Road car park .  Both car parks are about a 4-minute walk away.

Disabled access

The main museum building benefits from flat access from rear and side with disabled parking spaces at the side of the museum, thus allowing full access to all levels and galleries via the lift.

By Bus: The closest bus stop to Swansea Museum is ‘Sainsbury’s Quay Parade’ stop which is about a 3-minute walk away.

By Train: Swansea Museum is about a 15-minute walk away from Swansea Train Station. Head towards The Grand Hotel and follow the High Street (B4489) all the way down through Wind Street to the junction of the A4067. Cross the A4067 dual carriageway and turn right. Swansea Museum will be straight in front of you.

Swansea Museum Victoria Road The Maritime Quarter Swansea SA1 1SN

Telephone: 01792 653763

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Us

1-Day Swansea Itinerary

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

• Swansea in 1 day
• 2-Day Swansea Itinerary
• 3-Day Swansea Itinerary
• 4-Day Swansea Itinerary
• 5-Day Swansea Itinerary

Table of contents

1-day itinerary, swansea indoor market.

Plantasia Tropical Zoo

The National Waterfront Museum

Parc singleton park, clyne gardens, where to eat, burger king, gigi gao's favourite authentic chinese, hanson at the chelsea restaurant.

Attractions

Top searches in Swansea

Popular road trips from swansea, what's the weather like in swansea.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Swansea for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Swansea in January
• Weather in Swansea in February
• Weather in Swansea in March
• Weather in Swansea in April
• Weather in Swansea in May
• Weather in Swansea in June
• Weather in Swansea in July
• Weather in Swansea in August
• Weather in Swansea in September
• Weather in Swansea in October
• Weather in Swansea in November
• Weather in Swansea in December

All road trips from Swansea

• Swansea to London drive
• Swansea to Paris drive
• Swansea to Dublin drive
• Swansea to Amsterdam drive
• Swansea to Edinburgh drive
• Swansea to Barcelona drive
• Swansea to Rome drive
• Swansea to Bath drive
• Swansea to Berlin drive
• Swansea to Birmingham drive
• Swansea to York drive
• Swansea to Prague drive
• Swansea to Brussels drive
• Swansea to Madrid drive
• Swansea to Liverpool drive
• Swansea to Blackpool drive
• Swansea to Florence drive
• Swansea to Milan drive
• Swansea to Vienna drive
• Swansea to Budapest drive
• Swansea to Venice drive
• Swansea to Lisbon drive
• Swansea to Bruges drive
• Swansea to Manchester drive
• Swansea to Oxford drive
• Swansea to Portsmouth drive
• Swansea to Brighton drive
• Swansea to Belfast drive
• Swansea to Glasgow drive

Explore nearby places

• Jersey Marine
• Briton Ferry
• Craig Cefn Parc
• Port Talbot
• Pontarddulais
• Llangennech
• Reynoldston
• Ystradgynlais

All related maps of Swansea

• Map of Swansea
• Map of Jersey Marine
• Map of Mumbles
• Map of Bishopston
• Map of Pontlliw
• Map of Felindre
• Map of Briton Ferry
• Map of Craig Cefn Parc
• Map of Parkmill
• Map of Neath
• Map of Port Talbot
• Map of Pontarddulais
• Map of Llangennech
• Map of Cwmafan
• Map of Penmaen
• Map of Aberdulais
• Map of Margam
• Map of Llanelli
• Map of Oxwich
• Map of Reynoldston
• Map of Cynonville
• Map of Tycroes
• Map of Crynant
• Map of Ystalyfera
• Map of Knelston
• Map of Ammanford
• Map of Maesteg
• Map of Pyle
• Map of Resolven
• Map of Port Eynon
• Map of Ystradgynlais

Swansea throughout the year

• Swansea in January
• Swansea in February
• Swansea in March
• Swansea in April
• Swansea in May
• Swansea in June
• Swansea in July
• Swansea in August
• Swansea in September
• Swansea in October
• Swansea in November
• Swansea in December

Looking for other day-by-day itineraries in Swansea?

Check out our other curated itineraries that are also filled with jam-packed days:

Day itineraries for nearby cities

• 1-Day Llanelli Itinerary
• 1-Day Port Talbot Itinerary

• Itinerary + map in one view
• Live collaboration
• Auto-import hotels and reservations
• Optimize your route
• Offline access on mobile
• See time and distance between all your places

• Health Boards
• NHS 111 Wales
• Website Feedback

Morriston Hospital

Main switchboard: 01792 702222

Please note our rules regarding hospital visits have changed.  For the latest guidance on our visiting  please visit this page .  

Checking on patients - Updated 01.09.22

Relatives who wish to check on loved ones should call the ward in the first instance. A list of ward numbers can be found below. Please note that wards can be particularly busy in the morning so it’s best to ring in the afternoon.

For further support, please contact our PALS/PEAS teams.

Please note: There will be ward changes taking place at Morriston Hospital on Saturday 4th November and Sunday 5th November

Morriston hospital contact numbers - updated 03.11.23.

• AMU (Assessment and Short Stay) - 01792 986814
• A (Musculoskeletal) - 01792 703402 or 703403
• Anglesey (Medical ward) - 01792 703832
• B (Musculoskeletal) - 01792 703405 or 703406
• Burns & Plastic Surgery Outpatients Department - 01792 703885
• Burns Outpatients & Dressing Room - 01792 703821
• C (Cardiology with General Internal Medicine GIM) - 01792 703630 or 703650
• Cardiac Short Stay Unit  - 01792 704099
• Cardigan (Renal)  - 01792 703227 or 703229
• Coronary Care Unit Cardiology  - 01792 703634 or 703635
• Cyril Evans (Cardiology)  - 01792 704132 or 704133
• Cyril Evans HDU (Cardiology)  - 01792 703731 or 618895
• Dan Danino (Cardiology)  - 01792 704130
• D (Care of the elderly) - 01792 532416
• Dyfed (Adult plastics trauma patients) - 01792 703622
• E (Care of the Elderly) - 01792 703824
• F (Stroke) - 01792 703599 or 703490 
• Fracture Clinic (Trauma and orthopaedics) - 01792 986838
• Gower (Neurology and Gastroenterology) - 01792 703646 or 703647 
• G (Gastroenterology) - 01792 703655 or 01792 703654
• H (Respiratory) - 01792 703488 - Updated 03.11.23, effective from 04/05.11.23
• ITU Deep South - No direct line
• ITU South - 01792 618874 or 618873
• ITU North - 01792 703774 or 703007
• ITU East - 01792 703480 or 703481
• ITU West - 01792 703471 or 703472
• ITU Reception - 01792 703447 or 703479
• J (Respiratory with Acute NIV) - 01792 703462 or 703463 
• K (Colorectal/Urology) - -  Updated 03.11.23, effective from 04/05.11.23
• L (Upper GI) - -  Updated 03.11.23, effective from 04/05.11.23
• Liz Baker Unit - 01792 703396
• M (Children’s surgery)  - 01792 618891
• Oakwood (Children's medicine)  - 01792 703585 
• Pembroke (General surgery) - 01792
• Plastic Surgery Treatment Centre - 01792 545790
• Powys (Adult plastics trauma patients) - 01792 703624
• R (Vascular)   -  -  Updated 03.11.23
• SAU (Surgical Assessment Unit) -  - Updated 03.11.23, effective from 04/05.11.23
• S (Endocrine and infectious diseases) - 01792 703638 or 703662
• Tawe (General Internal Medicine) - 
• Tempest (Burns ITU and adult burns beds) - Burns ITU: 01792 703801 Adult burns beds: 01792 487415 / 487416 / 487425
• Theatre Admissions Unit (TAU) – 01792 530738
• T (Surgical) - 01792 703445 or 703446 
• Ty Olwen (Palliative Care) - 01792 703412
• V (Surgical short stay) -  -  Updated 03.11.23, effective from 04/05.11.23
• W (Musculoskeletal) - 01792 703247 or 703245
• West Unit - 01792 704090

Please note: From 1st March 2021 smoking in hospital grounds is against the law

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.

We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.

Opening hours National Waterfront Museum

• Homepage Homepage

National Waterfront Museum

• Current: Opening hours

The daily opening times of National Waterfront Museum in Swansea

The following overview lists the visiting hours for National Waterfront Museum in Swansea . The hours of the current day (today) are highlighted. Please note that opening hours on special days or holidays may differ from what is displayed here. We therefore recommend you to always check the opening hours with National Waterfront Museum before your visit and see if it might be needed to reserve a time slot.

• #47 in Wales
• View best museums in Europe

Want to know when National Waterfront Museum is open? These are the opening hours:

More about National Waterfront Museum

• Accessibility Tools
• Current Students
• Undergraduate

Undergraduate Open Days

• Open Day FAQs
• Self-Guided Campus Tours
• Open Day Guide
• Open Day Information for Parents and Guardians

We can't wait to meet you!

Our University Open Days provide a great opportunity for you to explore our beautiful campuses , meet our teaching staff and get a real insight into what it’s like to be a student at Swansea University. Our flexible and exciting Open Day Programme gives you plenty of chance to view our teaching facilities, accommodation options , sporting facilities  and range of student support services . You can also get help and advice on student finance and financial support.  

Want to get the low down on student life ? Speak with one of our friendly student ambassadors who will be on hand throughout the day to answer all your questions.

For everything you need to know about our open days, visit our Open Days FAQ's .

Look through the dates below and book your space on our Open Days, if you are unable to attend, register your interest to be updated on future dates.

Book onto a 2024 open day now

We are looking forward to welcoming you onto campus for our Open Days where you will be able to meet your lecturers, explore Swansea and chat with current students.

Our next on-campus events are on Saturday 19th October 2024 and Saturday 9th November 2024.

Plan your day

Book your place for 19th October 2024

Other events you may be interested in

In addition to our open days, there are also several events for specific areas of interest. We hope to see you there!

Check us out on Social Media

Follow swansea university on social media.

• Skip to main content

This website uses cookies

We use cookies on this site to enhance the user experience. You can follow the link provided here to tailor your experience, or accept all and continue on this page.

Your cookie preferences were saved

• Swansea Home

Contact us in person

The Contact Centre is based in the Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, SA1 3SN.

Do it online

• Opening times

Swansea Space

• Services available

Digital self-serve zones

• Other things to visit in Civic Centre

Contact Centre opening times

Monday - Thursday, 8.30am - 5.00pm Friday, 8.30am - 4.30pm Saturday and Sunday, closed

Please ensure you attend the Contact Centre 30 minutes before the stated closing times.

Public seating in the reception and exhibition areas inside the main Civic Centre entrance.

• Free use of computers / devices
• Accessible entrance / venue
• Toilets / accessible toilets (Changing Places) / baby changing facilities
• Car parking / disabled parking ( see below )
• can be purchased from Coastline Café (open similar hours)
• Drinking water available
• signposting and guidance on a broad range of matters from the council's primary customer contact service

Services available include:

• Passport to Leisure
• Handing in applications/documents for taxis/planning/street trading/school transport
• Making payments

Housing Benefit / Council Tax Reduction queries, opening times for these services are:

Monday - Thursday 8.30am to 4.30pm Friday 8.30am to 4.00pm Council Tax queries available until 4.45pm (Fridays 4.15pm)

In these zones computers are available to assist you with services which are available online. This means you will not have to wait in a queue to be dealt with by a member of staff.

Parking at the Civic Centre

The  Civic Centre East Car Park (library) is now a Pay and Display car park. However, we have still kept a 2-hour free period after which a charge is then payable. Please be reminded that a Pay and Display ticket is still required even for the free period.

Please see the payment boards in the car park for all information and tariffs.

In Civic Centre you can also visit:

West glamorgan archive service  (tuesday - friday), central library  (closed monday), coastline café.

The café offers a superb selection of drinks including tea, coffee (Americano, cappuccino, latte, espresso, mocha) and cold beverages. The range of delicious snacks and light meals includes toasted panini, selection of soups, salad boxes, and ciabatta sandwiches, home baked filled baguettes, jacket potatoes and cakes and pastries.

Opening hours Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 3.00pm

Exhibition space

The gallery style exhibition space provides a showcase for community and school artwork, a space for events and a place to display collections and resources from library, museum and archive projects.

Applications to use the exhibition space are welcomed from community groups, local organisations, societies, public services, council departments and individuals. Email [email protected]  or contact Central Library  for further information.

Choose Language

Dewiswch eich dewis iaith.

Please select your preferred language.

Share this page

Why Tho? Is it really my job to drive hours just so mom with Alzheimer’s can visit with her friend?

• Published: Sep. 24, 2024, 2:00 p.m.

Lizzy Acker, Why Tho? advice columnist. Destiny Johnson/The Oregonian

• Lizzy Acker | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Dear Lizzy,

My mother suffers from mild Alzheimer’s and no longer drives. Two years ago I moved closer to her so I could help my sister take care of her. One of her friends, “Connie,” is the only one who tries to maintain a relationship with her, which I appreciate, but it is taxing. She contacts me frequently wanting to arrange time to spend with my mom.

Connie wants to try new restaurants and talk about all the latest political and celebrity gossip. But Mom only likes one or two restaurants and doesn’t participate in conversations as her speech is greatly diminished. I do not want to talk about these topics. Mom doesn’t get anything out of the time with Connie that I can tell. My mother needs routine and familiar situations to function. Connie lives far enough away that she cannot travel directly to my mother’s house, she wants me to go get my mom and meet her places, which results in a one hour round trip for me just in travel time.

I have my own life, family, work and hobbies that I’m trying to juggle. How do I tell Connie that it is too much for me and mom to spend time with her?

Caretaking Daughter

Dear Caretaking Daughter,

Your mom is very lucky to have you close by and also this is so hard and I’m really sorry you are going through it.

Everyone grieves the loss of a person to dementia in different ways. It sounds to me like Connie is grieving her friend by being in denial: she hasn’t yet accepted that your mom is a different version of herself now, one who cannot do the things she used to do in the ways she used to do them.

Sometimes, I think, seeing a person with dementia clearly for who they are now is harder for different people, and maybe even harder when you aren’t up close with that person day in and day out.

Still, it is absolutely not your job to take care of Connie or her feelings. Have you heard of the theory about rings of support in a crisis? It’s a great visualization of who should be supporting who when something terrible happens.

I’d say “Mom with Alzheimer’s” counts as a crisis, even though it is an ongoing one. Your mom is the center of the circle, then you and your sister are the next ring, giving her direct support.

Connie is not her caregiver or her daughter, so using the ring theory, she is a ring outside of you and should be doing things that support you, not making your life harder.

All that is to say, you are well within your rights to have a kind but firm conversation with Connie.

You can say, “Connie, I truly appreciate the fact that you want to maintain a relationship with my mom. It’s so important to my family. But my mom has changed. She can’t do the things she used to do and she really needs to maintain her routine. It would help me so much if you could visit her where she is, instead of trying to go out, which is no longer something that works well for her. For example you could come visit her at [wherever she lives, when it is actually convenient]. Unfortunately, I cannot drive you but if you need a ride, I recommend asking a friend or taking public transit or even a cab. Your support is very valuable to my sister and me. We really appreciate it.”

You could also email her a couple links, to more information on the ring theory and to this helpful post from the Alzheimer’s Association on ways to help a family dealing with a diagnosis. And you could ask her doctor for advice on this, and then invoke that in your conversation, saying, “Her care team thinks it’s best for her to maintain a routine.”

Here’s the truth: She might get offended. She might stop seeing your mom. Those are worst-case scenarios. But you are not responsible for her feelings. Hopefully, she will get over the pain of the truth and begin to come to terms with the fact that her friend has changed, forever. When she does that, she may be able to be an actual asset in your life.

Have a burning question? Send me an email at [email protected] or tweet @lizzzyacker ! Or, if you want to ask me a question with total anonymity, use this Google form .

Read more Why Tho? here.

More Why Tho?

• Why Tho? ‘Childless Cat Lady’ wonders how to deal with friends who question decision to not have kids
• Why Tho? I’m a person who finishes things, but does that mean I have to keep reading an awful book?
• Why Tho? Do I really have to ghost my friend’s ex just because he asked me to?

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Team news | Coventry City v Swansea City

Josh Tymon returns to the Swansea City line-up as head coach Luke Williams makes one change for today's visit to Coventry City.

The defender comes back into the side following illness as Kyle Naughton drops to the bench in the only alteration from the win over Norwich City.

Lawrence Vigouroux continues in goal, with Tymon joining Harry Darling, Ben Cabango and Josh Key in the Swansea defence.

Captain Matt Grimes once again links up with Gonçalo Franco and Ollie Cooper in midfield.

In the final third Jisung Eom and Ronald will look to provide service for striker Liam Cullen.

Coventry City: Oliver Dovin, Luis Binks, Bobby Thomas, Jack Rudoni, Jamie Allen, Haji Wright, Jake Bidwell, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Milan van Ewijik, Josh Eccles (captain), Norman Bassette,

Substitutes: Ben Wilson, Jay Dasilva, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Ellis Simms, Ephron Mason-Clark, Ben Sheaf, Liam Kitching, Joel Latibeaudiere, Victor Torp. 

Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; Josh Key, Ben Cabango, Harry Darling, Josh Tymon; Matt Grimes (captain), Gonçalo Franco, Ollie Cooper; Jisung Eom, Liam Cullen; Ronald.

Substitutes: Jon McLaughlin, Jay Fulton, Joe Allen, Žan Vipotnik, Florian Bianchini, Myles Peart-Harris, Kyle Naughton, Nelson Abbey, Azeem Abdulai.

Swansea Arts Weekend

From 4th to 6th october, swansea arts weekend showcases creative arts, celebrating local and international artists, performers, and creatives in south wales. with plenty for both adults and families to enjoy, the event offers a wide variety of shows, interactive experiences, and fun activities across many of swansea’s attractions, art galleries, event spaces, and entertainment venues..

With plenty of for adults and families alike, the festival of arts will offer a diverse array of shows, interactive experiences and fun activities across many of Swansea’s attractions, art galleries, event spaces and entertainment venues.

Bringing together artists, musicians, singers, comedians, poets, dancers, photographers, the community will have a chance to be immersed in culture, arts and creativity in the heart of the city.

With three headline events – all featuring workshops, performances, exhibitions, free activities and more – Swansea Arts Weekend will entertain, inspire, and connect both visitors and locals.

Whether you’d love to take part in a creative workshop, experience dance performance, enjoy an interactive art exhibition, stroll through your favourite art gallery, discover a new comedian or live band, the Arts Weekend will have activities, exhibitions and performances for you to enjoy.

The Arts Weekend will feature three main streams, highlighting the vital role the arts play in enriching our communities and fostering creativity. Alongside the beloved Swansea Fringe Festival, two new events will be introduced, offering fresh opportunities for visitors to engage with the arts in meaningful and exciting ways. From workshops to performances, exhibitions and more, the Weekend will offer creative things to do in Swansea for adults, families, and communities of all ages.

What’s on in Swansea Arts Weekend:

We Are All Artists – a new event for 2024, We Are All Artists features art exhibitions, workshops, and creative activities across five Swansea galleries and performance venues: Mission Gallery, Volcano Theatre, Elysium Gallery, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, and Galerie Simpson. More details coming soon.

Olympic Fusion – the second new event for this year, Olympic Fusion is an immersive performance fusing breakdance, skateboarding, surfing, and climbing. More details coming soon.

Swansea Fringe – a favourite event of locals and visitors to Swansea, the Fringe is back for 2024. Stay up-to-date with announcements of acts and events here.

Swansea Arts Weekend is funded by the UK Government and the Shared Prosperity Fund, delivered by the Cultural Tourism Anchor at Swansea Council.

Keep in touch

Please take a moment to read our privacy policy

• Things To Do
• Self Catering
• Where to Stay
• Walkers & Cyclists Welcome
• Getting here
• Destinations
• Things to do
• What’s On
• Visitor Information Points
• The Gower Peninsula
• Rural Swansea
• Afan & The Vale of Neath
• Walking in Swansea Bay
• Conferences & Groups
• Useful Information
• Become a Marketing Partner
• Add your Swansea Bay Event

2024 © City and County of Swansea

• Accessibility
• T’s & C’s

Privacy Overview

Canadian detained by China says he experienced psychological torture

OTTAWA, Ontario — A Canadian man detained by China for more than 1,000 days said he was put into solitary confinement for months and interrogated for up to nine hours every day, treatment he said amounted to psychological torture.

Michael Kovrig, speaking to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in an interview released on Monday , also said he had missed the birth of his daughter and only met her for the first time when she was two-and-a-half years old.

Kovrig and fellow Canadian Michael Spavor were taken into custody in December 2018 shortly after Canadian police detained Meng Wanzhou , the chief financial officer of Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, on a U.S. warrant. Both men were accused of spying.

“I still carry a lot of pain around with me and that can be heavy at times,” Kovrig said in his first substantial comments since he and Spavor were released in September 2021.

Kovrig noted that U.N. guidelines say prisoners should not be put into solitary confinement for more than 15 days in a row.

“More than that is considered psychological torture. I was there for nearly six months,” said Kovrig, a former diplomat who had been working as an adviser with a think tank when arrested.

Kovrig said there was no daylight in the solitary cell, where the fluorescent lights were kept on 24 hours a day. At one point, his food ration was cut to three bowls of rice a day.

“It was psychologically absolutely the most grueling, painful thing I’ve ever been through,” he said.

“It’s a combination of solitary confinement, total isolation and relentless interrogation for six to nine hours every day,” he said. “They are trying to bully and torment and terrorize and coerce you ... into accepting their false version of reality.”

Kovrig and Spavor were released on the same day the U.S. Justice Department dropped its extradition request for Meng and she returned to China.

The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, responding to Kovrig’s interview, said he and Spavor had been suspected of engaging in activities endangering China’s national security.

Chinese judicial authorities handled the cases in strict accordance with the law, it said in a statement.

Bilateral ties are chilly. This month China opened a one-year anti-dumping investigation into imports of rapeseed from Canada, just weeks after Ottawa announced 100% tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles .

Kovrig’s partner was six months pregnant at the time of his arrest. She played their daughter recordings of his voice and showed pictures of her father so she would recognize him when they finally met.

“I’ll never forget that sense of wonder, of everything being new and wonderful again and pushing my daughter on a swing that had her saying to her mother, ‘Mummy, I’m so happy,’” he said.