Thousands of residents are getting a last chance to enjoy free bus services right across Swansea this weekend to make the most of the fine Bank Holiday weather.
It’s the last weekend of the summer offer that’s allowed long weekends of free rides in Swansea to anyone getting on and off a bus in the area.
And it coincides with a brilliant weekend of free or inexpensive experiences and visitor opportunities at council venues.
Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said: “The free ride Swansea offer has again been a huge success. It was the first initiative of its kind in Wales to offer free bus travel for everyone and tens of thousands of people have used the service on the long weekends this summer.
“From the feedback we’ve received it’s clear that it’s helping hard-pressed families go places they’d have struggled to afford to visit during the emerging cost of living crisis.”
He added: “The Free Ride Swansea initiative has been going for a year and it’s clearly helped boost businesses and tourism operators.
“As part of our review of the scheme we’ll be doing an economic impact assessment which we’ll share with the Welsh Government in the hope we can work together on similar projects in the future.”
Elliott King, Cabinet Member for Culture and Equalities, added that there is lots to do this Bank Holiday weekend, much of it reachable using the free ride Swansea service.
He said: “Attractions right across Swansea pull out all the stops to make sure the Bank Holiday weekend is one to remember and it’s no different this time.
“If you want a trip to the city centre, Mumbles, Gower, then you can get there for free if you join our buses in Swansea and make sure you catch the ride home before 7pm.”
Make the most of free bus travel with our suggestions for things to do in Swansea this weekend:
- Make a ‘Holiday Memory’ at the Dylan Thomas Centre.
Holiday Memory by Dylan Thomas is the inspiration for a series of family-friendly activities at the centre this summer. In Friday’s workshop you can make a travel board game. Alternatively, you can browse the exhibition that delves into the life and work of Swansea’s world-famous poet and writer or enjoy one of the self-led activities. The Dylan Thomas Centre is open 10am – 4.30pm daily during the bank holiday weekend and admission is free.
- Discover Swansea Museum’s natural history collection.
From dried plants to pressed shrews, the museum has an impressive amount of flora and fauna, many of which is currently on show in an exhibition that explores the motivation to collect and preserve natural history specimens. Entrance is free and the museum is open, 10am – 4.30pm, every day during the bank holiday weekend.
- Get creative at the Glynn Vivian
Join in the fun at the gallery’s Summer Sunday Forest School. Learn, play and explore the natural world, materials and practises in this fun creative workshop (10.30am – 12pm) or pop along for their Family Film Club (1pm – 3pm), when they’ll be showing a great movie that will entertain the family. Admission free and the gallery is open 10am – 5pm daily during the bank holiday weekend.
- Become a prince or princess at a medieval castle
Oystermouth Castle is offering a special Prince and Princesses Day on Bank Holiday Monday from 11am to 4pm where youngsters are encouraged to dress up for the day or meet and greet princesses and princes from popular fairytales. Admission by ticket only, save money with a £15 family ticket.
- Enjoy Swansea Prom
The outdoor attractions along the prom are open the bank holiday weekend and there’s plenty to keep you entertained. You could seek adventure at Singleton Boating Lake, hop aboard the Swansea Bay Rider, make a splash at Blackpill Lido, or go crazy for mini golf.
