It may be the summer holidays, but sadly it wouldn’t be a true British summer without at least a couple of rainy days. However, we don’t care what the weatherman says, if the weatherman says it’s raining – you can still have a great holiday. Swansea is positively bursting with plenty of indoor activities to keep you and your whole family entertained this summer. Here are our top picks to get you started…
Need for Speed
Karting (Swansea’s only indoor karting track), will be right up your street. With karts and tracks suitable for all ages and abilities, Skidz Karting is perfect for adrenaline junkies. Spectators can watch the action unfold from a large 1st floor viewing area.
Dig Gardening?
If it’s wet outside, you can still indulge your inner Alan Titchmarsh with a trip to Plantasia. Bursting with plants, prickly cacti, giant bamboo and lots more, Plantasia is a fascinating tropical paradise. For animal lovers, you’ll find cotton-top tamarin monkeys, lizards, piranhas and a selection of creepy crawlies.
Get Wet…Indoors
The LC is Wales’ largest waterpark and leisure complex. All housed under one roof, you’ll find loads to do, including a 30ft climbing wall, an interactive 4 storey play area, Wales’ largest gym, a luxury spa, and Wales’ first ever indoor surf simulator. For the more adventurous, the LC is also home to the infamous Masterblaster, a roller coaster style slide which blasts riders uphill on jetted water. Watch out for the active volcano!
Don’t forget that Swansea is also home to Wales National Pool – with everything from kids ‘Splash and Play’ and lane swimming, to classes and private lessons.
Discover Dylan
No trip to Swansea is complete without visiting at least one of our Dylan Thomas venues. Experience the ‘Love the Words’ exhibition at the Dylan Thomas Centre with well-known voices reading from some of Dylan’s most famous works. Visit Dylan’s birthplace and family home – fully restored to its 1940’s condition.
Head for Heights?
We are lucky enough to have two indoor climbing facilities:
- Dynamic Rock is a dedicated indoor rock climbing centre, providing climbing and instruction for all ages and abilities, from beginner taster sessions, to more advanced improver courses.
- The LC has a 30ft climbing wall with an auto belay system, meaning you can climb without assistance (though don’t worry, professionals are always on hand to help!).
Time Travellers
Take a trip back in time and learn about Swansea’s fascinating history at one of our brilliant museums:
- National Waterfront Museum – Come and explore the human story of Welsh industry and innovation over the last 300 years.
- 1940’s Swansea Bay Museum – Visit our fantastic indoor 1940s street to experience the sights and sounds of Wartime Britain.
- Swansea Museum – The oldest museum in Wales, providing a glimpse of Swansea life past, present and future.
- Gower Heritage Centre – is a visitor attraction and rural life museum based around a working 12th century water mill based in the picturesque Gower Peninsular.
Art Lovers
From contemporary paintings and sculptures to visiting exhibitions and local artists, forget about the weather and be inspired in one of our fantastic galleries:
- Glynn Vivian Gallery – look out for a series of fantastic workshops via our ‘What’s On’ page.
- Gower Gallery – a beautiful gallery inspired by the breathtaking Gower coastline in the village of Mumbles surrounded by boutiques and cafes.
- Attic Gallery – Wales’ longest established private gallery founded in 1962 to highlight the work of contemporary artists working in Wales.
- Mission Gallery – visit one of Wales’ best adapted spaces for the contemporary arts.
This post is also available in: Welsh