Visitors signposted to Swansea’s hidden rural treasures

More visitors to Swansea Bay than ever before will soon be signposted to the area’s green spaces, woods and valleys.

Representatives of local tourism businesses have been given a tour of beauty spots including Penllergare Valley Woods on the fringes of the city.

This means the 15 bed and breakfasts, cottages and tourism attractions represented are now better placed than ever to recommend different destinations as an alternative to the coast to their guests, friends and families.

The tour, funded by the Welsh Government’s Regional Tourism Engagement Fund, was organised by Swansea Council’s tourism team in partnership with Tourism Swansea Bay.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration, said: “We’re rightly very proud of Swansea Bay’s award-winning beaches and coastal scenery, but the area isn’t just a ‘bucket and spade’ destination.

“We have so much more to offer in Swansea Bay, including a number of high quality green spaces, woods, valleys and parks that give local people and visitors the chance to reconnect with nature and relax at different times of the year. You can’t underestimate how appealing attractions like Penllergare Valley Woods are to many visitors, especially those from big cities and urban environments where expanses of green space are few and far between.

“These types of tours are a key part of a Destination Management Plan we have in place that means we’re working more closely than ever alongside our tourism businesses and other tourism organisations to further boost a tourism industry that’s already worth more than £390m a year to the local economy. Many operators who went on the tour to Penllergare Valley Woods hadn’t been there before, but now they’re in a great position to signpost this wonderful attraction to their customers, friends and families.”

Swansea’s parks will also be signposted, including Clyne Gardens, Singleton Botanical Gardens, Victoria Park, Cwmdonkin Park, Parc Llewelyn and Brynmill Park.  Other Visit Swansea Bay marketing partners to be signposted include Dryad Bushcraft on Gower, Clyne Farm Activity Centre, Dulais Valley Quads, Go Ape in Margam and Aberdulais tin works and waterfalls.

With its lakes, waterfalls, terraces, panoramic views, exotic trees and shrubs, Penllergare Valley Woods is now being restored and brought back to life by the Penllergare Trust

Have a look at www.visitswanseabay.com for more information.