When you enter One Big Garden from the east, first you pass through the Neath
and Afan areas of Swansea Bay. This area has a huge choice of beautiful sights
to visit. From some of Wales's finest country and forest parks through to a
wealth of dramatic waterfalls including the National Trust's Aberdulais with
its backdrop of picturesque ruins, Swansea Bay will never fail to take your
breath away.
Set in 850 glorious acres, Margam Country Park is an attraction that boasts a
magnificent 18th century orangery (Europe's largest), a ruined abbey, a unique
fuchsia collection and an imposing 'castle' in the form of the Tudor Gothic
style Victorian mansion house that overlooks the landscape.
Gnoll Country Park is based on an 18th century landscaped garden with lakes,
cascades and excellent visitor facilities. Afan Forest Park contains one of the
most beautiful valleys in Wales within its 3,250 hectares. It is also world
renowned for its impressive mountain bike trails and Japanese Arboretum.
Swansea Bay is an area that has inspired countless hundreds of paintings,
novels and poems. Neath Canal has been immortalised by the novelist Alexander
Cordell in his book 'Song of the Earth'. Today, passenger boats are available
for navigation along its restored sections.
Swansea, Mumbles & The Gower Peninsula - One Outstanding Area
This area of Swansea Bay includes the Gower Peninsula, the first ever
designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the UK. Celebrating its
50th anniversary in 2006, the AONB is one of the country's finest wild areas
and is imaginatively interpreted at the National Trust Visitor Centre at
Rhossili. The Peninsula is also home to the Gower Heritage Centre with its
water powered corn mill, craft shops and tea rooms, famous for their home-baked
Welsh cakes and cream teas.
The collections of Singleton Park Botanical Gardens and Clyne Gardens have won
awards from the Royal Horticultural Society and are a must-see on any tour of
the region's gardens and green spaces. Both of the gardens have been awarded a
coveted Green Flag for excellence and feature special events throughout the
year. Throughout May, 'Clyne in Bloom' displays the internationally acclaimed
collections of rhododendrons and azaleas. Singleton Botanical Gardens hosts
'Botanics in Bloom' during August when it's an ideal opportunity to view the
stunning floral and architectural plant designs.
You can find another fascinating place to visit right in the heart of Swansea
city centre. Plantasia is an impressive tropical hothouse glass pyramid housing
over 5000 exotic plants in three distinct climatic zones.
Swansea Bay itself is protected by hills and warmed by the sea, creating a
micro-climate in which tender plants flourish. Victorian plant finders sourced
plant specimens from India, China and Tibet to bring back to the area's parks
and gardens and that legacy is still enjoyed by thousands each year.
Explore Swansea Bay in more detail at
www.visitswanseabay.com