Manchester Piccadilly to Swansea

Swansea, the second largest city in Wales, has plenty to offer the visitor, and whether you’re enjoying a family break, time out with your friends or a relaxing pamper weekend, this vibrant, cosmopolitan coastal town is a perfect destination. 

If artefacts and history are your things, you’re spoiled for choice here with the National Waterfront Museum and the Swansea Museum. The National Waterfront Museum tells the fascinating story of Wales, featuring interactive displays and innovative exhibits, while the Swansea Museum has collections of treasures that pre-date the Bronze Age. Mummies from Ancient Egypt, pottery from Greece and Rome, and items from Swansea’s nautical past are also included in the many galleries.

For retail fans, Oxford Street offers the big names and designer labels that you’d expect, while the glass-roofed market is home to over one hundred stalls showcasing local crafts, and more exotic wares. This is the perfect place to hunt down an unusual gift or to find something special for yourself. Why not pick up a loaf of delicious artisanal bread, or a homemade cake for a treat? 

Swansea is famous for the Gower Peninsula. A protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the first in the UK, this wild coastline is the perfect antidote to today’s fast paced life. Dramatic sand dunes, imposing limestone cliffs, and rolling grasslands will leave you speechless. If you are still seeking an adrenaline buzz, head for Gower Surfing. Offering one-off tuition or longer courses, this highly recommended surf school takes complete beginners right up to advanced, provides all the equipment and teaches paddle boarding and surfing. 

Catching the train home to Manchester, relax and plan your next adventure.