Singleton Park
A MUST-VISIT for families of all ages. Swansea’s Singleton Park has acres of simple, unadorned green space.
Singleton Park’s 250 acres runs from Swansea beach to Sketty in the north, Brynmill in the east and to Derwyn Fawr in the west. The vast grounds are home to botanical gardens, Sketty Hall, a boating lake, an Alpine Swiss chalet and ornamental gardens.
The Gorsedd Stone Circle was first erected in 1925 and later enlarged for the 1964 Eisteddfod. It can be found just below the Gower Road entrance and will keep the children entertained for ages.
Singleton is much more than just a park. On the showground area at the bottom of Bishop Gore School the spring bank holidays will find fascinating shows and fairs. International stars and bands such as Alfie Boe, Stereophonics, Rebecca Ferguson, Manic Street Preachers, Olly Murs and Paul Weller have held concerts there.
The BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales take part in the Proms season, where visitors are encouraged to bring picnics, deckchairs and flags to celebrate the Last Night of the Proms.
The site’s history is tinged with sadness. In 1847, John Henry Vivian purchased Veranda House for his son Henry Hussey Vivian and his wife Jessie, but, within a year, Jessie had died after giving birth to their son.
Henry was distraught and resolved not to live in the house and by 1853 only the estate lodge remained, the principal part of Veranda having been dismantled. St Paul’s Church Sketty, was built as a memorial to Jessie.
The Singleton Estate, as it had now become, amalgamated some 12 farms to amass 250 acres. By 1851, the walled garden had become the kitchen and flower garden to serve the needs of the Vivian family.
The County Borough Council purchased Singleton Estate in 1919 for use as a public park. Daniel Bliss, who was trained at Kew Gardens, was the driving force behind the purchase of the Singleton Estate, and began in early 1920 to oversee the transformation of the park and garden. The layout of the gardens has much to do with his vision and plans.
The Singleton Botanical Gardens now house one of Wales’s premier plant collections, with spectacular herbaceous borders and large glasshouses.
Although the gardens are at their most stunning during August, when a full programme of events and tours are staged, there is something to see throughout the year. The herbaceous borders are a fantastic sight from late March until mid-October, and even during the harsh winter months the garden has lots to offer with up to 200 different plants having been seen in flower during the Christmas season.
As this garden is set within the tranquil surroundings of Singleton Park, it is a very relaxing place to browse or gain inspiration for your own garden. There are plenty of places to sit and admire the delightful views.
Interesting features include a herbaceous border, victory beds, a rock garden, ornamental gardens, a Japanese bridge, glasshouses, a herb garden, plant sales and a wild flower well-being garden. The Botanical Gardens are free to enter.
Singleton Boating Lake is situated at the bottom of Sketty Lane, nestled between Singleton Hospital and Swansea University, within walking distance of Singleton Park.
As well as a bevy of resident swans, the lake is home to a variety of brightly-coloured car pedalos, swans, dragons and smaller pedalos.
There is a colourful 18-hole crazy golf course on site with picnic benches and a children’s adventure playground.
Singleton Boating Lake pedalos and Crazy Golf are closed for the winter season.
The lake also contains a number of carp, bream, tench and roach. Fishing, with a suitable rod licence, is only available at certain times due to the pedalos operating on the lake.
Singleton Boating Lake is accessible to all disability groups.
(with thanks to Swansea Council. For more information about Singleton Boating Lake email [email protected])