Brynmill : Attractions of Swansea

The suburb of Brynmill is located in the city of Swansea, south Wales. it lies about two miles (3km) to the west of the city centre. it is a residential area forming the southern part of the Uplands electoral ward. As it is close to Swansea university, many students choose to rent rooms here during term time. Aside from the student population, this is a fairly middle class area.

Brynmill is situated on hilly terrain. Many of the properties are built on slopes. Property subsidence is a problem here. Property prices here are around the national average. Council tax rates here are quite high.

Most houses here have broadband internet access via cable and ADSL. Depending on blockage by trees and tall buildings, satellite TV reception is good here. Freeview Digital TV coverage is available here too.

The area offers convenient access to the city centre shopping area via the Oystermouth Road to the South and Sketty Road to the North. However these roads are rather congested during peak hours.

St. Helen’s Cricket and Rugby Ground

The world famous St. Helen’s Cricket and Rugby Ground is located to the South of Brynmill. This is home of the “All Whites", Swansea RFC, and of Swansea Cricket club. Between 1882 and 1954, this was an international rugby centre.

it was here that Swansea RFC defeated New Zealand 11-3 on Saturday 28th September 1935. Thus becoming the first ever club side to beat the All Blacks. it was also here that Swansea RFC defeated world champions Australia 21-6 in November 1992, when Australia played their first match of their Welsh Tour.

Glamorgan County Cricket Club also play here, and it was in this ground that Sir Garfield Sobers hit the first six sixes in first-class cricket.

St.Helen’s also plays host to the annual Guy Fawkes night fireworks display.

The tallest flood light stand in Europe is in St. Helen’s Ground.

Other Local Amenities

The Swansea waterfront promenade and cycle track crosses Brynmill across its southern boundary. This is just a few metres away from St. Helens. Here you will find a war memorial and a memorial to Swansea Jack. The truss structure of the Oystermouth bridge is now located here. The terminus of the mumbles land train is situated here.

immediately south of the promenade lies Swansea Bay. Here is a large sandy beach with a fairly calm waters and a very large tidal range. At high tide the beach is almost entirely covered by Swansea Bay’s waters. At low tide, it is about 1/4 mile walk to the water front.

Directly west of St. Helens is the recreation ground. This is a venue used to host travelling funfairs and circuses. it has hosted the famous Moscow State Circus and Chinese State Circus, Gerry Cottle’s Circus has performed here frequently. The Rec, as it is known, is also host to a Park and ride car park.

To the East of St. Helens is Victoria Park containing bowling greens and tennis courts. For younger children, there are swings to Play on. Victoria Park contains the Patti Pavilion, serving as a village hall and is a venue for village fetes, pantomimes and other theatrical entertainment as well as music gigs. Located at the South East corner of Victoria Park is a weather station containing a Stevenson screen.

Further East of Victoria Park is the Swansea Guildhall complex with it’s tall clock tower being visible from a distance. The guildhall houses the City of Swansea council offices. The Northern section of the Guildhall complex houses Law courts. The Southern part of the Guild Hall complex houses the Brangwyn Hall - a popular centre of social and cultural life in Swansea. This is a venue for performances of the BBC Welsh Symphony orchestra. This is also used as the venue for graduation ceremonies for new graduates from Swansea university. For a number of years, the Chinese New Year celebrations have been held here for the Chinese community in Swansea.

The local primary school is Brynmill Primary School. Brynmill Park is the local park which is separated from Singleton Park by Brynmill Lane. Singleton Park houses the Brynmill stream which was the town boundary and which was being used to power a corn mill as far back the fifteenth century. (Swansea before industry, Swansea Museum Services.) St. Benedict’s Catholic Church is on Sketty Road.