The importance of Swansea and Gower being seen to be 'open' by the outside world appears lost on politicians both local and national. The number of reported cases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) are falling yet the City and County of Swansea have not re-opened any footpaths despite the exhortations of the prime minister. In the Brecon Beacons the situation is much different with the National Park working with the local authority to open a number of walking and activity sites.

We've tried to provide a concise review of FMD and the minimal effect it has had on Swansea and Gower on our website. We have also complied a list of open and accessible attractions in the area - please let us know of any others that we can add.

With Easter nearly upon us this edition of Advantage Gower looks at some of the activities that you can recommend to your guests as well as a strenuous walk with spectacular views within the city boundaries.

We welcome feedback so that we can provide just the right amount of information to encourage visitors to come to the area and stay longer once they have arrived.

IN THIS EDITION

Holiday Activities at Clyne Farm Centre
Adopt a Pony Days
Walk of the Week
Eating Out

Next Edition Places to go on Gower

Holiday Activities at Clyne Farm Centre

FREE TASTER SESSIONS Our FREE activity taster sessions are a popular feature for guests staying at Clyne Farm. Now we are extending these to people staying at our partner accommodation providers. Booking in advance is neede but you will have to be quick as there are only a limited number of places. The only conditions are:

• booking in advance on 01792 403333
• limited to ages eight and upwards
• limited to guests staying with you for five days or more

Activities Can include archery, indoor climbing, orienteering and horseriding

Times Monday 9 April 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.00pm to 4.00pm

For this coming week we have a full range of activities including for the first time SURFING!  Gower is renowned as one of the first areas in the world to embrace surfing in the Sixties. Langland Bay was where it all began and soon spread to others such as Caswell and Llangennith.

We've teamed up with Simon Jayham of Gower Surfing Development to run a beginner's morning at Caswell Bay on Thursday 12 April. Simon has surfed big waves in Hawaii which, coupled with his background in leisure management, gives him all the qualifications to teach safe surfing at all levels. For beginners Simon has brought in special super soft boards from Cornwall which helps beginners quickly learn control.

Our other activity days revolve around our range of outdoor activities including archery, indoor climbing, orienteering, horseriding, climbing and abseiling, gorge walking, rock hopping, caving, canoeing and Challenge Valley - the muddiest assault course in the world!!!!! 

You can find further details of our full or half day activities (Details) or holidaying in our very popular self catering cottages. Details on our website.

Adopt a Pony Days 

Whilst FMD has restricted horseriding to our own land we have just followed the lead of Clyne Golf Club and started limited re-use of Clyne Common. Adopt a Pony days continue to be very popular as they are a great way for parents to have some time to themselves while the children come to us and look after a pony for a day. 

Full details of our hacks and lessons are on our web site as well as pictures of the horses and staff. 

Thought of the Week The MAFF website (www.maff.gov.uk) gives information to racing pigeon owners including disinfecting their feet if you think they’ve stopped on farmland. On a more serious note should be install disinfecting mats for seagulls who could quite easily fly here from infected areas of Devon? 

Walk a Dylan Thomas trail and visit the Roof of the World 

This week’s walk involves some climbing but all on roads or tarmac paths in parks. It’s part of a Dylan Thomas (DT) trail starting and finishing in The Uplands area of Swansea. No special maps are needed but a street map of Swansea would be useful (Good News and Uplands Bookshop both have a selection). There’s on street parking (no time limit out of the shopping centre) and plenty of public transport.

Start opposite Spar and turn into Uplands Terrace, take the first right into Mirador Crescent. DT used to go to nursery school in one of the houses on the left (anyone know which one?). Follow Mirador Crescent until it rejoins the main road, turn left past the Christian Science church and walk down towards the city centre, after 200 yards turn left into St James Crescent.

Behind St James’ Church is St James’ Gardens – more reminiscent of a London Square than Swansea. Here you will find the last public loos until you near the end of your journey. Walk through the park and at the top of the hill turn right along Ffynone Road.

Turn right up the hill past Sancta Maria Hospital and turn left into Richmond Road. At the end of Richmond Road turn right into Cwmdonkin Drive. A short walk up the hill brings you to DTs birthplace. Look back over the suburbs of Swansea towards Mumbles Head from this undistinguished semi with a blue plaque on the wall and you will begin to understand where the idea of DTs ‘lovely, ugly town’ was formed.

At the top of the hill you turn left into Penlan Terrace and you have two choices. The section in italics below takes you to Pantycelyn Road and one of the most spectacular views in the area or carry on towards Cwmdonkin Park.

Just after turning into Penlan Terrace there are steps alongside the blocks of flats leading up. Walk up (counting the steps?) until you reach the road and then turn left. Just along the road on the left is an observation point. This is Pantycelyn Road on the edge of Swansea’s first council housing estate – the garden village of Townhill – very innovative in its time!

The view here is……. Well, judge for yourself!!!

Retrace your steps and return to Penlan Terrace and turn right.

About 200 yards along on the left is an entrance into Cwmdonkin Park. This delightful park is well worth exploring as there is something for everyone. Tennis courts (where former British No 1 Mike Davies learned to play), a bowling green, loos and a memorial to DT in a small water garden.

The way out and back to Uplands is through the entrance which leads into The Grove. Walk through The Grove past Lloyds Bank (once a cinema) and you are back where you started.

Eating Out 

If you are on holiday sometimes you needs mountains of food. The Uplands Café in Uplands Crescent just up from Howard and Palmer Pharmacy offers just that. This is greasy spoon at its best with a variety of all day breakfasts. It’s always crowded (this is student land) but on fine days try eating in the back yard. Best to eat here after you’ve enjoyed your walk!

NEXT EDITION 

• More on activities for your guests.
• Places to go on Gower
  

Geoff Haden
Clyne Farm Centre
Westport Avenue
Mayals
Swansea SA3 5AR
www.clynefarm.com tel 01792 403333 fax 01792 403339
geoff.haden@clynefarm.com 
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Thank you for reading! Please let us know if there is any event or attraction that you would like us to feature.

Clyne Farm Centre - making a difference to a stay in Swansea and Gower. Click here to check out Challenge Valley - the muddiest assault course in the world!!!

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