Castle is the name of an electoral ward and a community in the City and County of Swansea, South Wales. Castle covers most of the heart of the City of Swansea. The community does not have its own community council.
The electoral ward consists of some or all of the following areas: Swansea City Centre, Brynmelin, Dyfatty, Maritime Quarter, Parts of Mount Pleasant and Sandfields in the parliamentary constituency of Swansea West. The ward borders St. Thomas to the east; Landore and Cwmbwrla to the north; Townhill and Uplands; and Swansea Bay to the south.
Localities
Parc Tawe
Parc Tawe is an area on the west bank of the River Tawe in the Lower Swansea valley. The area includes many large "out-of-town" style stores and entertainments. There are plenty of car parking spaces in this area, but at peak periods this area is subjected to severe traffic congestion. A highly visible landmark in the area is the Plantasia - a large triangular tropical plant house that looks a bit like a space ship. Entertainments in the area include a 10 screen cinema multiplex showing popular modern films and a ten pin bowling centre.
The area occupied by Parc Tawe was once the North Dock. The North dock was opened in 1852 becoming the first dock in the Swansea docks complex. During the 1930s changes in methods of working, reduced trade and the increasing size of ships led to the North Dock being closed and subsequently filled in. For decades the North dock area was an industrial wasteland, until re-development as a shopping complex in the late 1980s.
Sandfields
Sandfields is an area of Swansea bounded by St. Helen's Road to the North, Oystermouth Road to the south and Dillwyn Street to the east. This area lies immediately west of the main shopping district in the city centre. Sandfields in Swansea is often confused with Sandfields Port Talbot, even by the post office. The two places are different.
The Sandfields area consists mostly of two story terraced houses, with some larger housing as well as several pubs and schools. Rising above the east end of the Sandfields is the Vetch football ground, former home of Swansea City A.F.C. football club. In 2005 the football ground was closed and after an emotional final game the club relocated to the new stadium at Morfa outside Swansea. Discussion continues as of 2005 on what should be done with the Vetch ground. Several previous planning proposals to build houses on the field have been rejected. The small terraced houses have helped keep the area relatively free of student accommodation and the family atmosphere of the Sandfields makes it a popular area with house buyers.
Today the sea frontage edge of Sandfields along the Oystermouth road is a line of mostly small privately owned hotels. Adjacent to the line of hotels is Swansea HM Prison. Across the road from the prison and in some eyes a conveniently short distance away is Swansea County Hall built on part of the original Mumbles Railway which ran along the sea front until 1960.
Local legend states that custard powder was invented here in one of the side streets near the Vetch Field. The story goes that Alfred Bird of Bird's Custard fame was a chemist who had a chemist shop in this area. Alfred Bird in fact invented egg-free custard powder using cornflour, and did so in Bull Street Birmingham.
Christ Church Infant School and St. Helens Infant and Primary Schools serve the local area. It was in a school room at Christ Church school in 1863 that Christ Church on the Oystermouth Road was founded, becoming a separate parish in 1871.
Swansea Council intends the Sandfields area to remain primarily residential. With the exception of limited extension of hotels on the Oystermouth road the planning policy for the area is to prohibit further commercial usage within the Sandfields community.
Swansea Crown Court is housed in a building situatated on the far south west corner of Sandfields opposite the Guildhall.
Dyfatty
Dafatty is an area near the northern end of the ward. It consists mainly of council housing. The most prominent feature of the area is the high rise blocks of council flats.
Brynmelin
Brynmelin is a residential area at the northern tip of the ward. It is sometimes confused with Brynmill in the Uplands. The district is located just north of the main road between the city centre and the Hafod. As well as road access, pedestrian access between Brynmelin and the city centre is provided by a footbridge
Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill leads up to Townhill from Swansea City Centre. This is a steep sloping cobbled street made famous in the feature film Twin Town, being featured in a scene with a daring car stunt. The street is now sectioned off from traffic due to the number of people attempting to imitate this stunt. Constitution Hill is arguably the steepest road hill in Swansea. In the early 20th Century, there was a tram service going up and down the hill. The hill is also sometimes used for cycling races held in Swansea. It is certainly a gruelling ride. Constitution Hill forms part of the boundary between the Castle and Uplands wards. |
Admission Charges
Address
Buses
B&B�s/Guest Houses
Campsites/Caravans
Credit Cards
Cricket
Disabled Facilities
Email
Fax
Film
Food
Parks/Gardens
Golf
Hotels
Libraries
Opening Hours
Places of Worship
Pubs/Bars
Schools/Colleges:
Shops/Gifts
Taxis:
Telephone No.
Tourist Information
Vets
Web Address
Illustration(s) or 