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Wales Online

Entertainment

Jenny White & Karen Price

Things to do in Mumbles: What to eat and drink, where to stay and visit in the tourist hotspot

Mumbles is one of the top destinations in Swansea Bay, and with good reason.

A charming village with pretty houses tumbling down winding streets and a wealth of great places to shop, eat and drink, it’s perfect for a day out or a longer stay.

Enjoy time by the sea, picnics in the castle grounds and evenings strolling from bar to bar. What more could you want?

Eat

Mumbles has a superb array of independent restaurants, ranging from keenly priced fine dining at Bistrot Pierre (main courses from £11.95) to informal small plates and burgers (from £8.95) at Croeso Lounge .

Both places offer lovely sea views, and if views are your thing, you should also visit Castellamare (specials from around £14.50), which sits on an outcrop at the edge of Mumbles overlooking Bracelet Bay; the outdoor tables in particular offer lovely views to the lighthouse.

On Newton Road, Mumbles’ main shopping street, you’ll find plenty more great options – notably Cakes & Ale , which offers everything from hearty breakfasts to evening classics including chicken Parmigiana (£19) and 8oz rump steak with hand cut chips (£18).

If you fancy a picnic, call into the fabulous Olives and Oils independent delicatessen, which sits just opposite Cakes & Ale, and stock up on artisan finds.

Drink

Whether you prefer cocktails or hearty ales, Mumbles has something for you. The White Rose , at the bottom of Newton Road, may look like a regular pub but it has a superb array of cocktails and G&T options, as well as plenty of bubbly.

Real ale lovers should head to The Pilot on Mumbles Road, which has its own on-site microbrewery, or to the Mumbles Ale House , a traditional pub tucked away in the pretty backstreets of Mumbles.

Another delightful old-world option is The Park Inn , also located in the jumble of lanes in the higher reaches of the village.

Do

There are plenty of beautiful sights to be enjoyed for free in Mumbles: stroll around the bay, maybe enjoying an ice cream from Joe’s , the iconic local ice cream maker.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Joe's Ice Cream Parlour (Arthur Edwards)

Head up to Bracelet Bay to enjoy the rock pools; or visit the pier and its pretty little south facing beach.

In the heart of the village, you’ll find the ruins of Oystermouth Castle ; while this is currently closed for restoration work, it’s still worth a visit and the castle mound has commanding views of the bay.

Oystermouth Castle is Grade I listed (Mirrorpix)

Further up Newton Road is Oystermouth cemetery – a truly beautiful, tranquil place to explore. Covering 28 acres, it includes the graves of 83 service personnel from WW1 and WW2.

Chill

There are plenty of great places to stay in Mumbles, and it’s wise to book well in advance because they are in demand. Besides lots of self-catering options in pretty fisherman’s cottages, there are upmarket rooms in the elegant Langland Road B&B at the top end of the village (rooms from £85 a night) and in Patrick’s , a restaurant with rooms on the seafront.

For something a little grander (but still with an intimate feel) there’s the picturesque Norton House , a small Georgian manor not far from the sea front.

If you want a really special stay, Morgans hotel (room from £150), just around the bay in Swansea, is arguably the swankiest place in town.