Mumbles

Mumbles is the name given to the headland at the western tip of Swansea Bay. It comprises of the hill and the two small islands. The route of the name Mumbles is a corruption of the Latin for breasts (mamilla). It is believed that the name is credited to either the  Romans or french sailors after the shape of the two anthropomorphic islands. The Houses between Southend and the headland now comprise Mumbles together with Bracelet bay and Limeslade.

The lighthouse, on the outermost island, was established in the 1790s. It was converted to solar-powered operation in 1995.

There are car parks on the approach road to the pier and on top of the hill behind the pier.
The pier was opened in 1898 just over ninety years after the opening of the Swansea to Mumbles railway in 1804. The railway was established to carry limestone from the Quarries at Mumbles to Swansea and was originally horse-drawn. It was the world’s first passenger railway and hold the record for the number of forms of locomotion – horse, sail, coal, and electricity. The railway terminus was moved to the area adjacent to the pier when the passenger railway was established in 1807.

At the end of the Pier are the RNLI lifeboat station and museum. Records show that Mumbles lifeboat has operated since 1966. In 1947 the entire lifeboat crew were drowned while trying to rescue the crew of the  SS Samptampar. Adjacent to the pier are refreshment facilities, toilets, and an amusement arcade.

The Mumbles

The Mumbles

“The Mumbles” is the name given to the western end of Swansea bay by local tourism industry executives and Yuppie’s living in the area. In general terms, it is the district encompassing the electoral wards of Oystermouth, Newton, West Cross, and Mayals. These are all separate communities and their individual character and heritage will be lost […]

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Swansea Bay featured image

Swansea Bay

This is our guide to places of interest, on or close to the five-mile-long Swansea Bay promenade. You can walk all the way from Swansea’s maritime quarter to Mumbles pier and beyond. The promenade forms part of the Wales coast path. It contains a cycle track and has various pieces of fitness apparatus doted blog

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Gower Cycling Festival

Gower Cycling Festival

This page will be updated when the current Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed to the point where the organisers are able to publish the program and date of the next event. The Gower Cycleing Festival is an annual event run by Wheelrights, the Swansea Bay Cycle Campaign Group. The festival started in 2010 and the 2018

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Entertainment and Culture

Culture and Entertainment

Despite the failure of Swansea’s bid to become the UK City of culture in 2021 the city council and the Swansea 2021 bid team are determined to implement the programme of local, national and international events that were compiled in the bid. The Swansea 2021 bid team includes Swansea Council, Welsh Government, Swansea University, University

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Dining out in Gower

Dining out in Gower

Here we have listed some of the local recommended eateries for lunch, evening meal, or that special occasion. Most of these are located in Llanrhidian, Penclawdd, or elsewhere on the Gower peninsula. At Hill House we are fortunate to have one of these just a short walk of about 200 yards from the front door.

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Local Amenities

Local Amenities

We have listed here most of the local shops and national supermarket chains that you will find in the Llanrhidian, Penclawdd, Gowerton, Gorseinon, Swansea and Lanelli areas. The list includes some service providers in Llanrhidian and health centres in Penclawdd, Gowerton, and Scurlage. Llanrhidian Herons Way Filling StationLlanrhidian Cross – SA3 1E  01792 390360Fresh bread baked

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