Spring is finally here - at least according to the calendar - so we can hopefully start to look forward to spending days on Swansea beach and in the city's glorious parks and attractions. Fortunately, we're just around the corner from some of Swansea's popular attractions, like the Swansea Bay Rider land train and the pedalos at Singleton Park opening to the public
Swansea Council cabinet member, Robert Francis-Davis, said: "With the days becoming longer and warmer our attractions are ready for another great season.
"Swansea is always popular as a holiday destination at this time of year when the weather is traditionally good. We hope it'll be the same this year, as this provides a great boost to the start to the tourism season for many businesses. 2023 is The Year of the Trails and whether it's a cultural trail, an outdoor trail or a heritage trail, there's no better time to find the perfect one in Swansea. Everybody can try our trails!" You can get the biggest Swansea news stories straight to your inbox with our newsletter.
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There's a wide range of events and activities planned for people of all ages throughout the spring and summer in Swansea. And with many of the attractions below located on a five-mile stretch of Swansea Bay, if you've not got much time - or don't live locally - then it's easy to see the majority of them over the course of a day out or weekend trip.
Scroll down for the confirmed re-opening dates for various Swansea attractions:
Pedalos and Crazy Golf at Singleton Boating Lake
The pedalos and crazy golf course at Singleton Boating Lake, located at the bottom of Sketty Lane between Singleton Hospital and Swansea University's Singleton Campus, just a stone's throw from Singleton Park, are re-opening to the public on Friday, March 31.
Both attractions will be open every day of the following school holidays this year: Easter (Friday, March 31 to Sunday, April 16), June Half Term (Saturday, May 27 to Sunday, June 4) and Summer (Monday, July 17 to Sunday, September 3). The attractions will also be open every weekend and bank holiday between Friday, March 31, and Sunday, September 24.
Before the school summer holidays, the pedalos and crazy golf course will be available from 10am to 5pm, and during the school summer holidays, they'll be available from 10am to 6pm.
What can people expect?
There's plenty of swans and fish to see at the lake - and loads of funky themed pedalo boats to choose from this year including cars, swans and dragons. Pedalos fit up to four people and the following prices are for thirty minutes: £9.50 for a standard ticket, £7 for a concession (under 16s, student and senior citizen) and £5.50 for a Swansea Passport To Leisure holder. Lifejackets are available and they fit people aged two and up - an attendant will ensure they fit. Please note, the minimum age to take a boat out without adult supervision is 14.
Over at the crazy golf course, you'll find 18 colourful holes suitable for all the family. A standard ticket is £4 and it's £3.50 for a concessionary ticket (under 16s, students and senior citizens). For Swansea Passport To Leisure Holders it's £3 and for a family ticket (two adults and two juniors) it's £11.50.
What's more, Singleton Boating Lake contains a number of carp, bream, tench and roach and fishing is permitted at certain times - though people wanting to fish must have a rod licence.
Swansea Bay Rider Land Train
A spring day out in Swansea is not complete without a trip on the hop-on, hop-off Swansea Bay Rider Land Train - and it's set to relaunch on Friday, March 31, for the 2023 season.
This year, the land train will run every day during the following school holidays: Easter (Friday, March 31, to Sunday, April 16), June Half Term (Saturday, May 27, to Sunday, June 4) and Summer (Monday, July 17, to Sunday, September 3) and will also run every weekend and bank holiday between Friday, March 31, and Sunday, September 24.
What can people expect?
A trip on the Swansea Bay Rider Land Train is a rite of passage for every Swansea local - and is popular with visitors to the city too. The brightly coloured train makes several trips along Swansea prom throughout every day it runs and really shows off Swansea Bay's beautiful views. It makes a few stops along its route from Blackpill to Mumbles and back, so many people use it as a fun way of travelling along the prom to the Splashpark at Blackpill or to Mumbles shops, cafes and attractions.
The train is suitable for people of all ages though it's particularly popular with families with young children. The train permits dogs, if they're on leads and under control, and is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
We enjoyed our trip on the Land Train last summer - you can recap our livestream here:
This year a hop-on, hop-off standard ticket is £6.50, a hop-on hop-off concession ticket (under 16s, students and senior citizens) is £5.50 and a hop-on hop-off ticket if you have a Swansea Passport To Leisure is £4. Under threes are free and a hop-on hop-off ticket for a family (two adults and two juniors) is £15.
Crazy Golf at Southend Gardens
Southend Gardens in Mumbles boasts a children's play area, a boules area, an outdoor dining area with picnic tables and table-service from nearby restaurants (opening times vary) and a crazy golf course. They re-open to the public for the 2023 season on Friday, March 31.
This year, the crazy golf at Southend Gardens will be open every day during the following school holidays: Easter (Friday, March 31, to Sunday, April 16), June Half Term (Saturday, May 27, to Sunday, June 4) and Summer (Monday, July 17, to Sunday, September 3) and will also run every weekend and bank holiday between Friday, March 31, to Sunday, September 24.
Before the school summer holidays, the crazy golf course will be open from 10am to 5pm, and during the school summer holiday, it will be open from 10am to 6pm.
This year, a standard ticket to crazy golf will be £4, a concession ticket (under 16s, students and senior citizens) will be £3.50 and it's £3 for anyone with a Swansea Passport To Leisure. A family ticket (two adults and two juniors) is £11.50.
Oystermouth Castle
Oystermouth Castle, a Norman stone castle overlooking Swansea Bay from Mumbles, is re-opening for the 2023 season on April 1, 2023. Swansea Council said the castle would be open daily until September 30, and on weekends during October.
Visitors can explore historic parts of the castle that have been there for centuries, including a 30-ft high glass bridge to the castle's chapel, and learn about the area's fascinating history. Plus, the Friends of Oystermouth Castle group will be hosting regular guided tours of the castle throughout the spring and summer, as well as special themed days and family entertainment sessions over weekends and in the school holidays. Easter Fun Days include the castle's "Living History" opening event on April 1 and an Easter Bunny Trail on April 9.
This year, Oystermouth Castle will be open from 11am to 5pm each day (last admission 4.30pm) and this year's admission prices are £6 for a standard ticket, £4 for a concessions ticket and £3 if you have a Swansea Passport to Leisure. A family ticket for two adults and three children is £18, or for one adult and up to three children it's £12. Children under 5 are free. Season passes are available - you can enquire about these at the castle.
If you're interested in volunteering at the castle, you can enquire about joining the Friends of Oystermouth Castle Group online here - and there are a number of benefits including free access to the castle. There’s also the opportunity to volunteer at the castle for those who enjoy meeting new people and have an interest in history, archaeology and education.
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For more information about events and activities in your area, type in your postcode into the box below:
