The Mumbles is a headland situated on the western edge of Swansea Bay in Wales and home to the pretty fishing village of Mumbles. Here is a complete guide.
How To Get To The Mumbles
The Mumbles is a headland sited on the western edge of Swansea Bay on the southern coast of Wales.
By Foot:
From Swansea it’s a 4.5 mile(7.2km) walk, around Swansea Bay to The Mumbles. This is a mostly flat walk and will take approximately 1.5 hours.
By Bus:
There a regular buses from the city of Swansea and the journey takes roughly 25 minutes.
Land Train:
The Swansea Bay Rider is a 72 seater land train that runs along the Swansea promenade between Blackpill Lido in Swansea to Southend Gardens in Mumbles. Enjoy spectacular views of beautiful Swansea Bay on your journey.
Running every weekend from 8 April to 4 September, and open daily during the school holidays. (Wheelchair and dog friendly.)
You can purchase your ticket on the train. Standard ticket is £5.50. Family ticket £13.00 (2 adults + 2 Juniors).
By Car:
Take the A4067 from Swansea all the way to The Mumbles. This 4.5 mile (7.2km) drive, follows the bay around to The Mumbles and takes about 15 minutes.
There are plenty of car parks to choose from in the area and most are free for the first 2 hours.
For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.
The Mumbles Entrance Fee
There is no charge to visit The Mumbles.
The Mumbles Opening Times
The Mumbles is open all year round.
Best Time To Visit The Mumbles + Tips
The summer months are the most popular time to visit The Mumbles. Arrive early to avoid the crowds.
Also, during the school holidays and at weekends Mumbles gets very busy.
Enjoy a great dog friendly walk along the promenade with amazing views across the bay.
Mumbles Pier is a great place to spend some fun time for families with children. Additionally, it is also dog friendly.
Lastly, visit one of the four Welsh-Italian ice cream parlours and try one of the many delicious flavours of ice cream on offer.
What To Pack
The History Of The Mumbles
The name ‘The Mumbles’ is thought to date back to Norman times. It is believed that French sailors named the headland after the shape of the two islands.
The word ‘Mumbles’ is thought to have come from the French word ‘mamelles’, meaning breasts, and refers to what the sailors named these twin islets off Mumbles Head.
Mumbles is most famous for being home to the worlds first passenger railway, built between Mumbles and Swansea. Originally designed for carrying coal, a horse drawn passenger service was added in 1807.
As a result of the popularity of the railway, Mumbles became a tourist destination. Mumbles pier was constructed and opened in 1898 to serve as the new terminus.
A RNLI lifeboat slipway was added to the pier and a boathouse built on it in 1922.
Mumbles railway was dismantled in 1960 and the land train now runs along Swansea Bay, taking holidaymakers along the front between Mumbles and Swansea.
Mumbles lighthouse, completed in 1794, sits on the outer of two tidal islands off Mumbles Head and is clearly visible from any point along the five mile sweep of Swansea Bay.
Welsh poet and writer, Dylan Thomas, was a regular visitor to Mumbles. In a letter to his girlfriend, he wrote ‘Mumbles, a rather nice village, despite its name, right on the edge of the sea’.
Finally, Catherine Zeta-Jones, actress, grew up in Mumbles from the age of 12, and she and Michael Douglas have a house there.
What To Expect At The Mumbles
The Mumbles was the final stop of our Wales itinerary after cruising around the coast from Rotherslade Bay Beach.
Often called ‘The Gateway to Gower’ and ‘The Jewel in Swansea’s Crown’, Mumbles village is a pretty, bustling fishing village that is popular with tourists of all ages.
The village offers a great choice of cafes, ice cream parlours, wine bars, pubs and restaurants to enjoy and one that is definitely worth a visit is Verdi’s cafe on the sea front.
A family run Cafe, Verdi’s Ice Cream Parlour and Licensed Restaurant has a reputation for authentic Italian flavour and also quality.
Mumbles bustling pace of life continues into the evening, when crowds are drawn to the many exclusive restaurants. Also popular is the famous ‘Mumbles Mile’ – a large number of pubs within a very short walking distance.
Activities
Mumbles Pier is located on the western side of the bay. This Victorian Pier has something for everyone. From arcade machines to bowling alleys, as well as afternoon tea in the Beach Hut Cafe and gift shops.
The newest addition to the Pier is the Little Stone Art Gallery. Opened in December 2016, it exhibits some of the most talented established as well as emerging artists in the local community.
The small beach is a mix of sand and rocks and has a reputation for being one of the best beaches in the area for rock pools, which can be teeming with crabs and also tiny fish at low tide.
Sitting majestically on the hillside behind Mumbles, is Oystermouth Castle, a Norman stone castle where you can explore the medieval maze of deep vaults as well as secret staircases and see ancient graffiti art from the 14th century. Opening times vary and there is a charge to enter the castle.
Also popular with water sports enthusiasts, roller-bladers, cyclists and those who prefer a quiet stroll or to simply sit and take in the stunning views across the bay, Mumbles has it all.
Where To Stay In South Wales
Luxury – Swansea Valley Holiday Cottages
Just 2 miles from Pontardawe, Swansea Valley Holiday Cottages feature family-run, self-catering accommodation on a farm, 10 miles from Gower Peninsula and 8 miles from Brecon Beacons National Park.
Free Wi-Fi and free private parking are provided.
Set in traditional stone buildings, the cottages sit in a 100-acre property offering panoramic views of the Welsh countryside.
They all come with a fully equipped kitchen, an outdoor dining area with BBQ facilities and a living room.
Some cottages also offer a washing machine and tumble dryer. They either have river views or courtyard views. One also has a private garden.
Mid-Budget – Morgans Hotel
In Swansea’s historic Maritime Quarter, Morgans Hotel provides luxurious rooms with free Wi-Fi, 5 minutes’ walk from the city centre.
This grade II listed building also has a relaxed restaurant and a stylish bar.
Equipped with a flat-screen TV and a sleek private bathroom with toiletries, each air-conditioned room also has Egyptian cotton bedding. Rooms in the separate Townhouse all boast elegant hardwood floors and some rooms are air-conditioned.
Guests dine in the boardroom of this former home of the Port Authority. A modern European menu is on offer, whilst Morgans Bar has sofas, cocktails, chilled beers and wines from around the globe.
This property is 10 minutes walk from the beach.
Budget – Neon 160
Neon 160 is set in Swansea, 0.6 miles from Swansea Marina and 1.1 miles from Cathedral Church of St Joseph.
Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi throughout the property.
The property is close to popular attractions like Loughor Castle, Gower College Swansea and Swansea Crown Court.
Selected rooms also offer a kitchen with a microwave, a fridge and an oven.
For more places to stay in Wales, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
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