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HOW IT RATES

"An ugly, lovely town”, to quote its famous son, Dylan Thomas, Swansea is set in the County of Swansea, which includes the unspoilt Gower Peninsula. The city has an impressive industrial pedigree: in 1306 the docks were established for shipbuilding, and during the Industrial Revolution the city was at the heart of the copper-smelting trade. The Luftwaffe “remodelled” Swansea in the Second World War. It became a city in 1969; the recently regenerated dock areas are a source of local pride.

ARCHITECTURAL GEMS

Wartime bombing didn’t leave much. The 13th-century castle ruins are notable, as is Brangwyn Hall, part of the Guildhall, which has the Sir Frank Brangwyn British Empire Panels commissioned by the House of Lords. Oystermouth Castle, in nearby Mumbles, is worth a look.

WHAT’S NEW

Swansea Waterfront is at the forefront of the city’s regeneration; in September Knight Frank (029-2044 0136) will be launching its Harbour Square development. One, two and three-bedroom flats are available, priced from £130,000.

QUALITY OF LIFE

Pretty good. Swansea is close to great beaches that are famed for their beauty (Rhossili Bay is perhaps the most famous). Coastal paths allow great views of the Gower Peninsula, the first area of the UK to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. North of the city there is some stunning countryside with mountain panoramas.

TRAVEL

The M4 links Swansea with Cardiff and London. Great Western Trains has a regular service to Paddington (the journey takes about three hours). A ferry service to Cork leaves six times a week.

POPULATION

2005 figures put the population of the city and county at 226,400, the third highest in Wales.

SMARTEST STREETS

The western side of the city, including the waterfront, is as expensive as anywhere in Wales. Sketty and Mumbles are the best of the surrounding villages.

BEST RESTAURANTS

Take your pick. Fairyhill on the Gower is an 18th-century hotel with 24 acres of grounds and top-notch cuisine. The always popular Eleo’s Brasserie in Swansea allows you to choose your own cut of meat or fish, then hand it over for the chef to cook.

TOP NIGHTLIFE

The largest of the city’s theatres is The Grand, which is showing Musical pulsating weekend bar scene centres around Wind Street and Kingsway. The best of the Wind Street bars are Lloyds Bar and The Reflex 80's Bar. For night owls, wander down Kingsway for clubs such as Top Banana and Klub Kaos. Kenbukan caters for insomniacs, closing at 10am.

EDUCATION

Swarms of students from Swansea University fill the city. The oldest school is Bishop Gore, the most famous of the independents is Ffynone House. Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe is one of three Welsh schools in Swansea and also one of the leading schools in the country.

WORKING LIFE

The public sector leads the way with 36.6 per cent. The hotel and restaurant business comes next with 24.8 per cent. Just over a quarter of Swansea’s working population are employed part-time.

UPSIDE

Star-spotters might, if they are lucky, occasionally get a glimpse of local girl Catherine Zeta-Jones – or even Michael Douglas (see Montenegro, page 14). Mumbles, a former fishing village turned resort, is a popular destination. The Gower attracts legions of artists and is right on your doorstep.

DOWNSIDE

The three-day visit from the Luftwaffe in 1941 has left historic buildings thin on the ground. The nightlife may be good for students, but it can be limited for anyone on the wrong side of 30.

£138,700 The average property price in Swansea
Source: Hometrack

6% The increase in property prices in Swansea over the past year
Source: Halifax

117% The increase in property prices in Swansea over the past five years
Source: Halifax

14.5% The percentage of the Swansea population who speak Welsh
Source: Office for National Statistics

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