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#redirect[[Glamorgan]]
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[http://www.visitswanseabay.com/ '''Swansea Bay'''] is the region of Wales located in the middle of the [[South Wales]] coast.
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==Understand==
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Swansea Bay covers western [[Glamorgan]] and eastern [[Carmarthenshire]], including the city of [[Swansea]] as well as [[Neath]], [[Port Talbot]] and [[Bridgend]]. The Swansea Bay area extends from the beaches of the [[Gower Peninsula]] to the south to the foothills of the Black Mountain range of the [[Brecon Beacons]] to the north; and from the town of [[Carmarthen]] from the west to [[Porthcawl]] to the east.
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This article aims to provide highlights of the larger area surrounding Swansea. For more detail of Swansea or the Gower peninsula, see the [[Swansea]] and [[Swansea/Gower|Gower]] articles.
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===When to go===
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The best time of the year to visit Swansea Bay is from late spring to early autumn since most of the attractions in the area are outdoor orientated. The warmer weather and longer days allows for maxiumum enjoyment of the sites the region has to offer.
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==Cities==
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*[[Swansea]] — the only city of the region, offering excellent cultural and recreational facilities
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*[[Ammanford]]
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*[[Carmarthen]]
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*[[Kidwelly]]
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*[[Llandeilo]]
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*[[Llanelli]]
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*[[Maesteg]]
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*[[Neath]]
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*[[Porthcawl]]
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*[[Port Talbot]]
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==Get in==
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==Get around==
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==See==
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==Do==
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===Driving===
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There is a lot of beautiful countryside and mountain scenery to be seen in Swansea Bay and the wonderful [[Brecon Beacons National Park]] lies just north of the region. Here are some recommended driving routes:
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*M4 Motorway (J43) - Neath - Glynneath - Hirwaun - Brecon - Sennybridge - Abercraf - Pontardawe - M4 Motorway (J45)
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This is quite a long drive which will take several hours and a fairly sporty car is recommended. Exit the M4 Motorway at Junction 43 and on the roundabout head onto the A465 road. The A465 is known locally as the Heads of Valleys Road. Once past neath, the road heads up the beautiful Vale of Neath with a wide valley floor with lakes flanked by steep wooded hills on both sides. At Hirwaun, head onto the A4059, which leads to a gentle climb into the central Brecon Beacons. Once in the mountains, the A4059 becomes a twisty country road with lots of sweeping ups and downs. Beware of sheep crossing the road in this section. The A4059 descends and meets the A470. Head north on the A470. The A470 passes by the western tip of ridge line which includes Pen-y-Fan (the highest peak in south Wales). Further north, the A470 crosses the side of a deep U-shaped valley. Head onto the A40 westwards at Brecon. Then at Sennybridge, head onto the A4067 (known as the Swansea Valley Road). The road passes scenic spots like the Cray reservoir and continues all the way to Swansea where the M4 can be re-joined at Junction 45.
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===Spectator Sports===
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*'''Football''' Premier League side Swansea City AFC [http://www.swanseacity.net/page/Home/0,,10354,00.html] play at the Liberty Stadium in Landore, Swansea.[http://www.liberty-stadium.com/]
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*'''Rugby Union'''
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** {{do
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| name=Ospreys | alt= | url=http://www.ospreysrugby.com/ | email=
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| content=A professional side who play in the Mangers League, their home ground is the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.
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** {{do
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| name=Scarlets | alt= | url=http://www.scarlets.co.uk/default/ | email=
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| content=A professional side who play in the Mangers League, their home ground is Parc Y Scarlets in Pemberton Llanelli.
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}}
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** {{do
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| name=Aberavon RFC | alt= | url=http://www.aberavonwizards.co.uk/ | email=
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| content=Semi-professional side who play in the Welsh Premier League, their home ground is the Talbot Athletic Ground in central Port Talbot
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** {{do
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| name=Llanelli RFC | alt= | url=http://www.llanellirugby.com/default/ | email=
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| content=Semi-professional side who play in the Welsh Premier League, their home ground is Parc Y Scarlets in Pemberton, Llanelli
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** {{do
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| name=Neath RFC | alt= | url=http://www.neathrugby.co.uk/ | email=
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| content=A semi-professional side who play in the Welsh Premier League, their home ground is The Gnoll in Neath
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** {{do
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| name=Swansea RFC | alt= | url=http://www.swansearfc.co.uk/ | email=
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| content=A semi-professional side who play in the Welsh Premier League, their home ground is the St Helens Rugby and Cricket Ground in Swansea.
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*'''Rallying'''
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**'''Swansea Bay Rally''', the event takes place every year, in mid-summer, at various locations in the Swansea Bay area. [http://www.swanseabayrally.com/history.asp]
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===Festivals/Events===
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There are a number of festivals within the city of [[Swansea]]. These are other festivals in the Swansea Bay area:
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=====Spring/Summer=====
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* {{do
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| name=Beach Break Live 2011 | alt= | url=http://www.beachbreaklive.com | email=
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| content=Held in Pembrey Country Park 16 June 2011 to 20 June 2011 Beach Break Live is an annual student festival which began in 2008.
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}}
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*'''British Mountain Bike race series'''. Margam Country Park plays host to one of the events of the British Mountain Bike series. In 2009, the event will be held on 30/31 May.
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*'''Margam Festival'''. The Margam festival is held annual at the Orangery in Margam country park featuring musical performances. [http://www.neath-porttalbot.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=875]
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*'''Neath Festival'''. The neath festival is held in Neath during mid summer featuring a fete at Gnoll Country Park and music performed at various locations in Neath. [http://www.neath-porttalbot.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=3816]
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*'''South Wales Boat Show''', a manufacturers event showcasing their boats held in Margam Park in June every year. [http://www.southwalesboatshow.co.uk]
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*'''Swansea Bay Summer Festival''' This is an umbrella term for a number of events occurring in the Swansea Bay area from May to September. See website for details. [http://www.swanseabayfestival.net/]
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==Learn==
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===Universities===
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*'''[http://www.swan.ac.uk/ Swansea University]'''
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*'''[http://www.sihe.ac.uk/ Swansea Metropolitan University.]'''
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*'''[http://www.trinity-cm.ac.uk/ Trinity College Carmarthen]'''
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===Colleges===
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*'''[http://www.colegsirgar.ac.uk Coleg Sir Gâr/Carmarthenshire College]'''
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*'''[http://www.gowercollegeswansea.ac.uk Gower College Swansea]'''
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*'''[http://www.nptc.ac.uk/ Neath Port Talbot College]'''
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==Buy==
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[[Swansea]] city centre has the widest range of shops in the region, which includes Wales's largest indoor market.[http://www.swanseamarket.co.uk/]
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For stocking up on essentials, other shopping centres hosting national high street chains are:
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*Parc Trostre/Parc Pemberton, Llanelli
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*Llanelli Town centre
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*Maesteg Town Centre
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*Morfa Shopping Park, Swansea
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*Parc Fforestfach/Pontarddulais Road retail park, Swansea
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*Neath town centre
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*Port Talbot town centre
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*Carmarthen town centre
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Mumbles and Llandeilo feature collections of upmarket shops. As well as Swansea Market, fresh food indoor markets can be found in the town centres at Carmarthen, Llanelli and Neath.
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==Eat==
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===What===
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The local culinary specialities are lavabread, cockles and salt-Marsh lamb. See [[Swansea#Eat|Food in Swansea]] for mote details. Another Welsh produce sold in butchers and served in many restaurants in the region is Welsh black beef. Fresh local produce is available in the indoor markets in Swansea, Neath, Llanelli and Carmarthen.
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===Where===
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[[Swansea#Eat|Swansea]] offers the best opportunities for meals and has many international standard hotels.
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==Drink==
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[[Swansea]] and its seaside suburb of Mumbles have an array of excellent cafes, pubs and wine bars.
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==Sleep==
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[[Swansea#Sleep|Swansea]] and the [[Swansea/Gower#Sleep|Gower]] offer a huge selection of hotels from five star boutique to country cottages.
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==Go next==
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*[[Pembrokeshire]] and the [[Pembrokeshire Coast National Park]] lies immediately to the west.
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*[[Powys]] and the splendid [[Brecon Beacons National Park]] lies immediately to the north east
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*[[Cardiff]], the Welsh capital is about an hours drive away to the east offering excellent cultural, shopping and recreational facilities.
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{{IsPartOf|Glamorgan}}
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{{usableregion}}
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[[wikipedia:Swansea Bay]]