Are you a student preparing for the big move to Swansea University this year? Then check out our ultimate guide to Wales’ beautiful city-by-the-sea.
Moving to a new city as a student can be a daunting process; however, this big life event also produces multiple opportunities. Meeting new people, living independently, experiencing a whole new area; these are exciting times.
If you are planning a move to Swansea, lucky you! Bordered by the sea in the South and the beautiful Brecon Beacons in the North, Swansea is a coastal city with a long history of being a student cultural hub. With its perfect blend of city nightlife and picturesque beaches.
Here are our top picks on what Swansea can offer you:
The beating heart of the area – the city centre
From bowling and mini-golf, to shopping and nightlife; this is where you will find all the action. And, thanks to major investments, the city centre is about to see considerable improvement, modernisation and regeneration.
If you are into classic film, then you may enjoy the independent café/movie theatre, Cinema and Co. Or, if you are looking to shop on a student budget, then you will want to check out Wales’ biggest indoor, award-winning market, to get the best deals. We highly recommend trying Welsh cakes or Swansea’s famous cockles.
Of course, every student wants to know about the social life of their university city. If you enjoy the nightlife, then Wind Street is the place for you. Bars, restaurants, nightclubs, even a coyote ugly; this place has something for everyone.
As mentioned, thanks to major investments the city centre is about to change, including Wind Street. The area is set to be boosted with a £3 million investment, which will transform the road into a flexible, accessible space for outdoor events and activities.
Investments will also see the building of a new digital arena, the regeneration of a historic theatre, and a general revamp of the whole centre.
Brynmill and Uplands
Located within walking distance of the university’s main campus, the beach, and the city centre, Brynmill and Uplands are where many students find their accommodation.
Uplands, the birthplace of poet Dylan Thomas, is a charming area rich with both student and Welsh culture. It is also home to an array of wonderful small pubs, diners, cafes, shops, and multi-cultural restaurants, and hosts the artsy Uplands market usually on the last Saturday of each month.
Brynmill is a cute suburban student area situated between Uplands and Swansea Bay. Much like the Uplands, this student area offers small pubs and restaurants, as well as St. Helen’s rugby and cricket ground. Here you can watch university rugby, or on bonfire night, you can catch the Swansea fireworks event. Fun pub quiz trivia, St. Helen’s cricket ground has the tallest floodlight in Europe.
Both these areas are just a stone’s throw away from several parks, including the shady Cwmdonkin, the alluring Brynmill park, and the spacious Singleton Park. Brynmill park boasts a beautiful lake, as does Singleton, which is also used to host multiple student events and music festivals.
Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant is a student area that sits on a hill just over the city centre. If you want to enjoy the convenience of the city centre, without the hustle and bustle, then perhaps this is the area for you.
Mount Pleasant boasts beautiful panoramic views of the city, the bay and even across to The Mumbles.
The Mumbles and the Gower
If you follow the coast along Swansea Bay, you will come across the gateway to the Gower, The Mumbles.
The Mumbles is a classic seaside area, complete with a Victorian pier, an arcade, an old lighthouse, several ice cream parlours and fish ’n’ chip shops. Visiting this location is the perfect way to spend your weekends or evenings, offering escapism from your studies.
If you want to take in some Welsh culture, you can visit The Lovespoon Gallery or Oystermouth castle, and as any Swansea local will tell you, you need to try a Joes’ ice cream.
Further on from The Mumbles is the world-renowned Gower peninsula – Britain’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In the Gower, you can find stunning beaches, such as: Caswell, Langland, Three Cliffs, Rhossili and Port Eynon.
On a sunny summer’s day, the Gower is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and take part in multiple activities like archery, golf and surfing. You can visit the Gower Heritage Site to experience Welsh history, or you can visit sites such as Pennard Castle and Arthur’s Stone.
Our insider tip, if you are in Swansea in the summer, then be sure to visit Rhossili to see the spectacular sunflower fields.
To summarise…
As we have mentioned, moving to a new city as a student can be scary. But, with Swansea being such a vibrant city enriched with culture, nightlife, and natural beauty, we believe this location is optimum for students looking for a new experience.
We hope our ultimate guide to Swansea has helped you decide where to potentially live, and what areas to visit.
To find the best student accommodation in Swansea, take a look at our amazing list of house-shares, flats and more by using our search tool. Happy house-hunting!
