Why go now?
To celebrate the first annual Dylan Day on 14 May in the poet’s home town. The new permanent exhibition at the Dylan Thomas Centre is a fascinating insight into his work and life, with free guided tours on Dylan Day.
His birthplace, suburban semi 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, offers tours, dinner and overnight stays in his bedroom (dylanthomasbirthplace.com).
Any other must-sees?
The free National Waterfront Museum – part original warehouse, part ultra-modern slate and glass – relates 300 years of Welsh history, while the Attic Gallery showcases contemporary Welsh artists. Swansea Bay has a beach and watersports centre, and Swansea Prom has crazy golf, a boating lake, lido and childrens’ train.
Where shall we go for dinner?
New BrewStone specialises in wood-fired food (pulled pork pizza, slow-roast beef), and the retro Gower Kitchen has an all-day menu of Welsh comfort food.
Grape & Olive is at the top of the Meridian Tower, the tallest building in Wales, but the food doesn’t quite live up to the views – the bargain set lunch (£11 for two courses) is a better bet than dinner.
How about a drink?
No 6 is a new coffee, craft beer and cocktail bar, and its soon-to-open basement gin joint will serve 170 types. The Westbourne pub has a self-service beer wall, tabletop taps and iPad ordering. The Steam Coffee Shop has poetry readings, and Noah’s Yard bar has a Monday jazz club.
Anywhere to stay under £100 a night?
Morgans (doubles from £65 B&B, 01792 484848, morganshotel.co.uk) is a 42-room boutique hotel in the 1903 Harbour Trust building. The Mirador (doubles from £59 B&B, 01792 466 976, themirador.co.uk) is an eccentric townhouse with themed rooms – Venetian, Egyptia, some more tasteful than others. The Gower hotel (doubles from £75 room only, 01792 234111, thegowerhotel.co.uk), six miles away, has Dylan Day events, including a performance of his short stories.
Do I need a car?
Yes, if you want to explore the Gower peninsula, the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is a short drive away. Otherwise, direct trains run from London Paddington, Bristol Parkway, Cardiff, Newport, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Crewe and Manchester; more information at visitswanseabay.com.
