The 13 best free attractions in Swansea

One of the best museums to visit. They have very good preservation of many artifacts. Words are not enough to describe the historical heritage this museum holds. It's a must visit museum. Thanks a lot National Waterfront Museum 🙏🙏🙏🙏

A wonderful museum. It's free to enter and packed with many great exhibits. Make sure you come by here if you're in Swansea! The interior of the museum was beautiful and spacious, it wasn't busy at all which is great if you like less hustle and bustle like myself.

An eye-opener to the vast industrial history of Wales. Visited near to almost closing hours but the crew was so understanding and welcoming. Beautiful exhibits. Also the space around the museum is treat to the eyes, especially during sunsets(and sunrises if you're an early riser.)

Nice experience, Interesting museum. We went on a rainy day. Parking close by.

Fantastic place, free entry. Plenty of exhibits & a lot to learn. My sons & grandson really enjoyed the experience. Highly recommend

A great Museum covering many aspects of the People, Industry, technology, and Landscape of Swansea and the surrounding area.

Very small but worth visiting. Book your ticket in advance to save money.

The mummy of Hor is marvellous (5 Stars). The story of Edgar Evans is interesting, and I enjoyed reading more information online. (4) The museum is very small with interesting art components to enjoy because not enough space between them. (3) It Is Time to Redesign the layout of the museum.

We went there with my partner, on the 26th july, and it was great ! It's not big. But its well made, we liked the mummy room and the reconstitution of the house with the grandma inside it. Also the animals room had some very interesting things about evolution, extinction, and about protecting animals. People were very nice too !

Located in the heart of Swansea, the museum features a diverse collection ranging from maritime artifacts to local art and archaeology. The exhibits are well-curated, providing insightful context and engaging displays that cater to visitors of all ages. The museum also features an intriguing display of a genuine Egyptian mummy, which is quite interesting. The mummy is accompanied by informative panels that detail its history, including the context of its discovery and the rituals associated with mummification. The admission is totally free and was not crowded even if it was a Saturday. It's definitely a goos place to spend few hours and gather some knowledge.

I love that UK has free museums. We visited Swansea with a coach group. Schedule conflict meant we had to visit Swansea city centre in morning.. only Swansea museum was open. We.did not get the time to explore all the little activities they have for kids. We learnt of the history of Swansea and how WW2 damaged it's buildings but not its spirit. We learnt how the mummy was conserved and the significance of its motifs. It has some nice paintings on the 1st floor which need time to study. Do visit.

It's a lovely place with lovely staff. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and seeing the beautiful sights. I recommend you go with a company to stake pictures and discuss with, also check out the Egyptian Mummy. Overall, I rate this experience highly in my books. I liked that it was up-to-date as it even had a COVID-19 record and point of care consumables. 100% recommend if that's your style.

A wonderful museum with some fine exhibits from many different countries and timespans.

The museum in Swansea was very interesting and educational. It was a wonderful experience because there were many exhibitions! It is inclusive to children as it offers an activity to find different mouse/rats. It was also free entry so very inclusive.

Interesting information, attractive and interactive presentation, friendly and knowledgeable staff and perfect choice if you have only 70 - 90 minutes or so to visit.

Interesting insight into the man's life from early years to his young death. I enjoyed my visit and put a donation in the box at the end.

A very good museum about the great Welsh Poet and playwright Dylan Thomas, his life and works

What a great place. I loved the Chinese Wellbeing Workshop. The host was so warm and helpful. She showed us how to play Chinese board games and served us wonderful green tea too. I highly recommend visiting, even if it's just to go to the 2nd floor to see this wonderful programming.

I grew up in a family who not only loved the poetry and stories written by Dylan Thomas but, who remembered with great affection too his radio broadcasts. I loved as a child growing up being introduced to his poetry and writing. So, it was a dream come true when l first visited this lovely centre when it first opened in 1995 and then to return yesterday, for the second time. For me personally, as an absolute fan of Dylan Thomas, this centre always touches my heart ❤️ in every way. The staff are so very lovely, knowledgeable and welcoming. Thank you so much everyone.

Informative and fascinating centre celebrating the life and works of Dylan Thomas. Would make an excellent school visit. Great staff to boot!

Not an aficionado of Dylan I found this centre full of mementos of his life, so I got to understand Dylan a bit more. Very nice and welcoming reception staff. Cafe a bit meagre on the food side, coffee ok.

A wonderful art gallery. The highlight was the Tigers &Dragons India and Wales in Britain exhibition, but there are many wonderful exhibits in the permanent collection.

What a great little gallery. It'd tucked away at the top of Swansea centre, but we'll worth seeking out.

The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is a true gem in the heart of Swansea. It's a cultural haven that offers a diverse range of artistic experiences. The gallery's building is a work of art in itself, and it beautifully complements the ever-changing exhibitions within. The gallery's collections span from classical to contemporary art, offering something for everyone. The curation of exhibitions is thoughtful and thought-provoking, often showcasing the work of local and international artists. It's a wonderful place to explore different artistic styles and interpretations. The staff is knowledgeable and always willing to give more information when asked for. The gallery's educational programs and workshops also make it an excellent destination for families and those looking to deepen their art appreciation. Overall, the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is a cultural hub that enriches the Swansea community and beyond. It's a must-visit for art enthusiasts and those seeking a delightful and inspiring experience in the world of art.

A really excellent art gallery. Amazing show on when I was there. I could have spent ages in there. Nice loos as well. Always a bonus.

Having walked there and intending to have coffee, then a walk around followed by lunch.. the cafe was closed. The local art and ceramics was good, but some of the exhibitions didn't live up to expectations. I wanted to see the textile one.. we'll it was just one model and a book !!

The Gallery is an inspiring free art space for everyone and provides a place for historical, modern and contemporary art exhibitions, talks, activities, performance and events in the heart of Swansea’s bustling artistic quarter. The gallery has a wonderful collection of artworks and ceramics, as well as works on paper, which form an important part of the city’s “cultural memory”. These artworks are displayed as permanent collections.

Lovely place for something to do and experience in the day, free of charge and pretty decent parking nearby.

Great public garden. Went at a time where the majority of the flowers were blooming and looked great. Might need to have more signs/plaques to say what flowers are which, otherwise use google lens to find out what is what.

Lovely park and gardens to walk around. Kids exploring over bridges, climbing trees and up the tower. Great fun for all. Few good places to stop and sit for a picnic. Public toilets open and clean.

Beautiful park, such beautiful gardens and flowers. We had a great walk and our dog loved all the streams. Would highly recommend with or without a dog. Super clean too, as it should be, without any dogs mess and great for hotter days to go with your pooch as so much shady areas cause of greenery.

What a fantastic park. Really well kept gardens, fab walk round, dog friendly and lots to see. Added bonus was the little coffee/drinks cart. Really glad we visited and would thoroughly recommend.

Beautiful gardens, can believe we've driven past it so many times. It's not as big as I thought and we managed to see most of the things in the park and still sit to enjoy a picnic at the top of the hill

Beautiful space to visit and packed full of a variety of mature plants and trees especially rhododendrons and azaleas. Public conveniences not far from the south entrance . Lots of paths to follow many of them with hard surfaces.

I went to Clyne Gardens on a family visit for the first time just over a week ago. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as we walked through some beautiful gardens. We will definitely be back hopefully later on in the summer.

Lovely, picturesque waterfalls. Our boys had fun scrambling over the rocks. We walked many of the paths through the woods. It wasn't always clear which were the intentional paths closer to the river and access was tricky at times. The main route to the waterfall from the car park was clear enough though. We visited on a damp school holiday day, and there were a good number of people and high turnover in the car park - on warmer days I can imagine it being challenging to find parking (though, I don't know for sure).

Great place to visit, a little gem hidden very close to the motorway. Easy to find, paid parking, and a short stroll to the upper lake and the waterfall. A longer walk in the woods to get to the lower lake but well worth it.

Lovely little stop off the motorway stunning scenery and lovely walks the cafe is run by excellent friendly staff. The waterfall is beautiful BUT it is all spoilt by people using it as a swimming pool. Also surprised by the amount of litter and dog poo bags everywhere, even in the trees. Such a shame for a scenic stop off. I would suggest charging a small fee which may reduce the disrespect to both nature and the charity.

Billed as an enchanted woodland and it definitely has a magical vibe to it. Stroll along the various trails and walkways although I only covered a portion of it due to my mobility issue, there is a lot to see. From the main car park there is a large map setting out the various coloured trails and their distances, I would advise taking a photograph of it as my friend and I only saw 1 set of markers, so actually had no clue as to where we were heading. Dogs are very welcome but obviously to be kept under control. Didn't visit the cafe but looked very clean as were the toilets.

Penllergare Valley Woods is nothing short of enchanting. Even beneath grey skies, the place glows with a quiet, otherworldly beauty. Winding paths, ancient trees, and the soft rush of waterfalls create an atmosphere that feels plucked from the pages of a Tolkien novel. You half expect hobbits to appear around the bend, or elves to step lightly between the mossy stones. The landscape shifts as you walk: serene lakes give way to shaded glades, and every turn seems to reveal another hidden corner worth pausing over. It’s a place that doesn’t need sunshine to shine — the mist and drizzle only add to its storybook character. Whether you come for a stroll, a moment of reflection, or simply to lose yourself in nature, Penllergare delivers something rare: peace, wonder, and a touch of magic. An absolute gem in South Wales.

Was ok. Family 5 2adults 3 children. Lovely nature walks, unfortunately couldnt enjoy the waterfall with the children as someone let there dog off and was just causing abit of chaos in the waterfall area, swimming and barking at everyone. Noone claimed it or moved it away, scared the children. There was alot of dogs off lead throughout the walk unfortunately not all well behaved.

Easy to park and costs £3 for upto 3hrs or £5 all day. There's a lovely cafe which great selections. You could spend all day here exploring as it's soo big. Very dog friendly and lots of shade so great in the summer.

Beautiful park and a very attractive location. The sea in front and the lush green all around. I loved the ancient looking gate and part of stone wall. There's parking nearby. It has a nice feeling about it.

A large park that surrounds the botanical gardens and has an Abbey at its heart. There are areas with ornamental plants and large trees areas as well. A bit hilly so great views. In April the wild garlic flowers rule!

Absolutely lovely park, nice and open with plenty of nature to boot and plenty of room to explore, sit and relax. Not to mention for bird watching! Many interesting birds from Ravens to Thrush! The only problem is during/following downfall there can be some areas which become pooled with water due to insufficient drainage methods

Wonderful place to visit, plenty of open space. Within the grounds there's a Botanical Gardens which was fabulous. I would have spent more time walking around but it was too hot. I was surprised to find the public toilets locked but found a disabled loo in the Botanical Garden

Perhaps more of a funfair and car boot sale than a typical car show. It was good though. 6 quid to get in and everything there is charged on top, it was the funfair of the Studt family so all good quality stuff for the kids. Parking wasn't an issue and even at peak times, queues in and out weren't too bad either, bit tricky for really low cars but those of us lowered come to expect that anyway.

Visited after seeing on a website recommendation of thing to do in Swansea. Great playarea with plenty for young and older children - although was very muddy at parts after previous nights rainfall, and we had two unfortunate slip and slide incidents. Our pedal boats were good and clean - lake was cute but sometimes weeds would clog propellor. Gave our legs a good workout. We passed one family who were climbing the fence and abandoned their boat as it got jammed and stopped working. The team were super friendly and helpful who were working there. Kids loved it overall but I felt underwhelmed by the setting/scenic element from what I expected afyer reading description and pictures on website. Its a small local park next to the University and main road. Felt also the Car Park was costly. We could have stayed longer and done crazy golf, but we didn't because we felt it didnt justify paying the extra time on meter. A pleasant morning with happy memories made.

A great children's park! Easy to park at the Pub on the Pond car park. Food available if you fancy a meal out, but check the serving times 😊

Nice for a walk if you're in or near Uplands. Also has 3 good tennis courts plus one with a rough but playable surface. They look like they're free. Has a mini basketball court with no hoop (sadly), a table tennis table, zip line and kids play area plus a slide. There's also a nice cafe in the hut in the middle. A great park

First time visiting here. Lovely sunny morning, my 18 month old had a whale of a time in the park and wandering all around the rest of the area. Only managed to cover one section though. Definitely planning on coming back another time!

A great historic civic facility. Lovely mature trees and well kept foot paths in a beautifully balanced landscape. The café at the heart of the park has great coffee, and the tennis courts were in use on the day of our visit... On today's visit we had a flat white and a vegan sausage roll from the cafe. Perfect break for a dog walk... Went down to the park today to check out the table tennis table. Our bats and balls arrived today...

Lovely open area, ideal for dogs , nice areas for a picnic and a little coffee shop,a well maintained playground for children.

Beautiful park and well maintained, but if you are walking from Swansea city, beware, it's a steep climb! Various references to Dylan Thomas and a memorial stone with words from "Fern Hill". Lots of old trees, woodland and a few water features. Well laid out walk ways and ample benches and picnic tables. Facilities include a bowling green, tennis courts, basketball net, children's play area and zip wire. Well worth a visit 😃

What an incredible special place never Been before when on Dylan day again your transported by the history of the place and connections to Dylan Thomas beautiful landscape water n streams perfic listen to Dylan Thomas on you audiable and be transported to the magic of Dylan Thomas and the beautiful peaceful idillic surroundings

Lovely space..would like more trees though .

The park is located almost in the centre of Swansea. It has newly built children play area which is very safe for the kids. The park has a huge lake in the centre, with lots of swans, ducks and seagulls. The park is maintained very well with lots of seating arrangements. The grass is also maintained very well. It has got multiple entry from all the sides. You will see lots of kids playing during their vacation and also a lot of families come for a small get-together. It also has a store which offer tea coffee, ice creams, soft drinks, croissants, and many more things. It also has the toilet facilities in the park, it is nice and clean. You will surely breathe a nice and clean air and will also enjoy the walk. Overall it’s a good place to spend time alone or with your family. You will really enjoy your time in the park. Recommend for all age group.

Brynmill Park is an absolutely beautiful location and a Must-Visit park in my eyes! Where to even begin with Brynmill Park. An absolutely gorgeous park that makes the walk to university feel just that little bit better every single day. The park itself is completely dog friendly, with hundreds of dogs walking through every single day, and many seating options available for if you just need 5 minutes to take it all in. What if you need a drink? Don’t worry, the amazing staff at the Vendor on-site at Brynmill Park have you sorted. With ice cream, hot beverages and food options, there’s not much more you can ask for! Not to mention the availability of duck feed for 50p! Continuing from duck feed, the staff and owners are gracious carers of some resident Mute Swans who are a must-see on their own! Not to mention also that there are Cormorants, Black-Headed gulls and Moorhens resident too! And of course the ducks. Overall, if there was an option for 6/5 it would belong to Brynmill Park, its staff, and the owners. Thank you to everyone involved for keeping such a beautiful piece of land in such well condition, and keeping the wildlife not only present, but thriving and encouraging the community to do the same. See you again soon, Brynmill!

Beautiful park, with a nice range of swings for the kids. I absolutely loved the lake, and the hut so people can buy snacks and drinks for the kids

After the disappointment of the adjacent Singleton Park, Brynmill Park is an absolute gem and is head & shoulders the best park in Swansea. Walking up into it from the road splitting the 2 parks you are awarded by the view that awaits you. As you get to the top of the path suddenly the lake appears and WOW it takes your breath away. It is a beautiful sight to behold. We walked around the outside of it and headed to the picnic area. There is a hut selling food, drinks and ice cream. Plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the lake. There are ducks on the lake and also a floating island for wildlife that moves slowly around the lake. Then later we walked through lovely gardens and under wooden pergolas. There is a big play area for kids and a big grassy area for picnics aswell. Brynmill was a beautiful, well kept and maintained park and a great place to take the kids. Highly recommend

A beautiful park full of wildlife. There is a fence around the whole lake, protecting the birds. Which allows your kids or dog run ahead without worrying! There's a little cafe which also sells duck food. The play park is lovely for kids of all ages.

Beautiful little park in the middle of Brynmill. Had playground for children and a pond with wild birds and pond life. Lots of dog walkers come here. There is also a kiosk where food and drinks are sold, where you can also buy bird food for feeding. Next to a kiosk is a simple climbing wall. This year, wild flowers have been planted to attract pollinators. Beautiful reflections of the lake on a sunny day! A tranquil place for a relaxing walk.

My little dog and I found this oasis of peace and calm a short walk from where we were staying with a friend. We're from the countryside and not used to pavements and roads so this park with its grassy areas was ideal for his paws and mine too !! The parks main feature is the reservoir , its metal railings all around the circumference ensuring the safety of its wildlife inhabitants and everyone else too. With various waterfowl ranging from magnificent swans and their cygnets to the rarely seen Moorhen and her chicks, foraging amongst the lily pads and dark corners, where they are perfectly camouflaged amongst the tree roots, a few ducks meander around the reid beds dipping down to feed from the bottom. Turning left, as you head toward the visitor centre, you'll see a raised well kept lawned area with a striking array of pretty hydrangeas in all its colours including deep pink ,purple, lilac and cobalt blue . There's a picnic area a bit further along with a few wooden tables and benches and a small kiosk selling little tubs of ice cream as well as dig friendly ice cream , hot and cold beverages and sweets . There are also toilet facilities too. Moving on and keeping the reservoir on your left there are many plants and trees to see on your right and park benches to sit and watch the wildlife. Every person I walked past ,whether a dog parent or otherwise spoke to me and my dog and said hello . It was a treat to visit such a lovely friendly park even in the rain, my dog loved it as much as I did .

A beautiful nature reserve with access to the beach through the sand dunes.. Take some sandwiches and a flask and just enjoy the peace..

Whiteford beach is out of the way. Takes a walk to get there but it’s well worth it. Very quiet, there is a cool iron lighthouse at the end. (The only wave washed one around now) Only go out to it you know the state of the tides. PLEASE •Don’t• be an idiot the tides whip in quick here

It is OK for a walk but after a while it gets boring. There are bigger patches of forest and sand dunes between them but the view and the walk is nothing special.

Beautiful nature 😍

Outstanding area

Best evening walk after dinner. Lovely views and walked through other side back to pier.

One of my favourite places in mumbles and usually relatively quiet. Wheelchair accessible if you park at the top of Thistleboon drive. Long walk right round the edge of mumbles hill with great views of swansea bay, pier, lighthouse and right round towards lighthouse bar and restaurant.

Lovely tranquil nature reserve above the pier and great for picnics! Word to the wise bring your own picnic when you come this way as places like to rip you off!

Beautiful place specially early morning.

Very nice if your into walking

Very nice nature reserve with access just opposite the main coastguard station. Nice easy walk up with good views of the lighthouse and coast. The surprise came after we got to the very top where there is a great view right over the huge sweep of Swansea bay. Well worth the walk up just for the view. The tide was out when we were there, the beach really is huge at low tide.

Hidden off Plunch Lane. There is some parking and interpretation board. Walk around top of hill, views across Swansea Bay and Mumbles Head. Also several WW2 gun emplacements and bunkers in the undergrowth. Very peaceful.

Did an out and back walk here. Lovely bird song. Handy free parking. Trail map with some area history on the wall of the car park to the left where the paths start. Bird info board also near the car park. Section of trail is flat so could be accessible to all.

Visited here when our trip to another near by waterfall led us to a housing estate. Pretty deflated we decided to soldier on towards Gower. This place is wonderful. We saw all the mini water falls and climbed the slippy steap hill to get to the biggest waterfall. Which was so refreshing and beautiful. The people we passed on the way through were friendly too. I cant wait to go back despite the huge horse fly bites!!

Wooded river valley with steep sides. Nice walk along the riverside. Free car park. Footpath starts off with a firm surface but soon becomes muddy. Can be very muddy after rain. We were glad we were wearing walking wellies, walking boots wouldn't have been good enough to keep our feet dry. There's a good 9 mile walk up the valley and back over the mountain. Take your own provisions and wet weather gear as it is often colder and wet on the mountain. Superb variety from woodland to open moorland. Fab.

Free parking, stunning walk along a river with little waterfalls. Highly recommend. A must for rambles and nature lovers

Very peaceful walk along the river and a lovely surprise to see the pigs. Sadly didn't see any kingfishers, but enjoyable anyway

Beautiful nature path with multiple little routes. There are small streams coming from the hill into the path as you delve farther and a lot of nettles, so be prepared. Free car park at the entrance, and a scenic little pub next to it as well.

A nice reserve with a good loop walk which I enjoyed. There is a surprising range of different habitats as you walk round, and I saw a few different bird species. It took me about 3-4 hours to walk around, but I went at a very slow pace as I was looking out for birds. I had a brief glimpse of a dipper which was the highlight of my trip in mid August. I would advise wearing trousers and long sleeves as there are a number of places where the path is slightly overgrown and I came out having been stung by nettles and scratched by brambles. There were also a couple of places where the path became very muddy.