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Visiting the Mumbles

Visiting the Mumbles. Over Easter, we visited Swansea Bay. It is not an area we have ever been to before, despite the fact that I was actually born in the South of Wales. While there we got up to a lot of tourism-related activities. Which you can read about in my 8 Things to do in Swansea post. One of the things we did was to visit The Mumbles. It is somewhere I have often heard people talk about as the must-see beach. It wasn’t until we spent a lovely afternoon relaxing in the sun there that I realised why. 

Visiting the Mumbles

Like the other beaches, we visited during our stay its affected significantly by the tide. This means that depending on the time of day you visit you will either get lots of lovely beaches with rock pools or beautiful blue sea almost right into the sea wall. This means you need to time your visit carefully. We were lucky as the tide was out when we arrived which meant the boys got plenty of time to explore. Just at the entrance to the pier where you can see the famous mumbles themselves, there was a shop selling buckets and spades. Along with fishing nets, which were incredibly good value for money at £2 each. The Victorian Pier itself was shut for renovation. 

Rock pooling

Monkey found some rock pools close by and hunting for crabs. He was impressed with his initial find. But it wasn’t until we moved closer to the sea did we find a mudskipper. Kipper busied himself by building sandcastles and putting little paper flags on the top. Before removing the flags and demolishing them and then starting again. Every now and again he would stop and look out to sea. I have no idea what was going on in his little mind as he looked wistfully at the returning tide. 

Photos from Visiting the Mumbles

This is the view of the bay from Oystermouth Castle overlooking the bay . You can just about make out the pier in the distance.

When we arrived the tide was out which left large expanses of sand by the time we left this was all covered up again

Kipper was very worried about the boats which were not in the sea. A couple of them were leaning over not having anything to prop them up. He decided they should go to the doctors.

The pier was undergoing restoration so we couldn’t go on it but Monkey found these old fashioned photo boards

The Mumbles themselves

Monkey couldn’t wait to give the nets we brought a go. There were several rock pools left by the receding tide. 

I am pretty sure his first find was actually dead!

Kipper  headed down to the shoreline to search with his net

It wasn’t long until Monkey joined him…..

Building sandcastles with little paper flags reminds me of my own childhood. Although they didn’t stay built for very long with a two year old…

Looking out to sea I wonder what he is contemplating?

Whats your favourite thing to do at the beach? I would love to hear about it in the comments below.

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We were invited to Swansea to experience everything the are has to offer. While there I took the photos included in this post. I was not asked to write this and chose to do so for my own purposes. 

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40 Responses

  1. Looks like you had a lovely time,plus looks like a lovely place x

  2. Looks lovely I’ve only been to North -mid Wales would love to see Swansea sometime . Looks like the boys enjoyed it

  3. Years since I’ve been here – such a beauty

  4. I had completely forgotten about the Mumbles! I’ve not been in 20 years but it’s great!

    We are big rock poolers in this house, we’ve never found anything exciting but we are always eager if nothing else x

  5. how lovely and what a beautiful place- should have watched out for the hungry lion though!!!

  6. I have always loved Swansea, not been for a while, I must visit again soon!

  7. rock pools are great fun and very educational as they can find loads

  8. The beach looks gorgeous, especially those rock pools. I have never been to the Mumbles either!

  9. We love looking at the edge of the sea or in rock pools to see what we can find. It’s so much fun.

  10. I’ve not been to The Mumbles for quite a while, wonderful place

  11. This brought back some lovely memories for me. We used to holiday in Wales a lot when I was younger and the Mumbles is one of the places we spent a lot of time. My sister and I used to look in all the rock pools. That whole coastline is a great place for a trip.

  12. It is such a picturesque area. The photos are lovely, thanks for the tips about the tides. South Wales is a lovely place.

  13. Wow! This place looks amazingly beautiful, all the photos are incredibly mesmerizing. I love this kind of place, it look quiet and peaceful here.

  14. The views are lovely and amazing nature it looks like you had a great vacation. Awesome photos!

  15. Lovely photos, looks a great place. My favourite beach activity is hiding in the shade from the sun, yet still getting burnt.

  16. looks like a lovely place. Your pics are great as always too

  17. What a lovely day with your kids. I wish we had a nearby beach where I can easily take my son for a walk.

  18. We love exploring rock pools too, its always a test of patience for my daughter however it’s such a delight when she manages to find something. I’ve heard that there are also lovely cafes for cake at the Mumbles too.

  19. Oh my goodness this looks just lovely. I love exploring rock pools to see what I can find.

  20. One day I will make it to London and the UK. Soon, hopefully.

  21. Your photos speak for themselves! I always enjoy reading our blogs! Keep up the great content, as always!

  22. These are the memories that they will treasure when they grow up. Family moments is love.

  23. So jealous! you seem to have had a great time. I have been drowning in work and I need a fun vacation like this soon.

  24. Your pics are fab! Going to the beach with kids is so brilliant, there is always so much to explore. It was one of my favourite things as a child and playing in rock pools was just magical. I love the idea of boats going to the doctor’s 🙂

  25. That net looks fun. I remember when my son would have loved that too.

  26. What a super time you all had. I love that place.

  27. It was lovely looking through your pictures from Mumbles. We loved this area when we visited too, so beautiful with lots for families to see and do

  28. that looks so serene!

    the favorite thing i do in the beach is just to watch the sunset, along with my beach mat and a little snacks. Sometimes i carry books too.

  29. Swansea Bay looks fun and always like looking around the rock pools.

  30. Swansea Bay looks like a very nice place for a family trip. I love the pictures, making sandcastles and chasing crabs brings back fond memories of my own childhood.

  31. My favorite thing to do is lie down on the sand and read. and take lots of pictures!

  32. The Mumbles looks so beautiful! I really love to do that sand castles whenever I’m on a beach.. Seeing beautiful things in person can be so rewarding.

  33. Your photos are absolutely beautiful and could indeed be postcards! I’ve never been near Swansea but would love to explore Wales with the kids in the next few years (the dream is to have a camper van and travel that way). How cute is the photo of Monkey holding the crab?

  34. We love Wales but have always stuck to North Wales with us living in Manchester. We’ll have to venture further south in future

  35. It looks so beautiful. I would love to go.

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  • Welcome to Mudpie Fridays where I share our travels. Both here in the UK but also across Europe and further afield. My name is Clare and I am married with two mischievous boys, Charlie aged 11 and Harry who is 7. Read along as we find hidden gems, pack as much holiday time in as possible, while working a 9-5 and find amazing and unusual experiences. Proving travel can be fun, educational and hugely rewarding with kids. Grab a coffee and come and join us on our latest adventures.



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