Swansea Castle Castle
Medieval castle ruins in Swansea city center
Swansea Castle's medieval stone walls and small courtyard sit in the city centre near the waterfront. Visitors come to see the ruins, local history exhibits and the surrounding civic buildings.
Swansea Castle at a Glance#
Address: Swansea Castle, Castle Square, Swansea SA1 3, Wales, UK
About Swansea Castle#
Swansea Castle is a medieval castle ruin in the centre of Swansea, Wales, originally founded in the early 12th century as a Norman fortification. It sits within the city’s historic Castle Square and survives today only as fragments of the medieval fabric.
The site is small in scale and most visible elements are sections of curtain wall and masonry incorporated into later buildings around the square. Interpretive panels on site point out the former castle footprint and the location of the gatehouse.
The castle was established by the Normans in the 12th century and was rebuilt in stone in later medieval centuries. Over the 18th and 19th centuries parts of the structure were adapted for civic uses such as a courthouse and prison and much of the complex was demolished or altered.
The ruins lie in Swansea city centre, close to the River Tawe and shopping streets. Cardiff is roughly 45 miles to the east by road.
- Location tip: Remains are concentrated around Castle Square, adjacent to the city centre and close to Swansea Museum.
How to Get to Swansea Castle#
Swansea Castle is in the city centre, within easy walking distance of Swansea train station and local bus services. The castle sits by Castle Square and is straightforward to reach on foot from most central points.
Tips for Visiting Swansea Castle#
- Look for interpretive panels or local guides that explain the castle's layered history - many sites in Swansea combine medieval remains with later reuse.
- Visit on a clear day to appreciate the riverside setting and city vistas from nearby elevated points.
Best Time to Visit Swansea Castle#
Milder months are best for combining the castle visit with walking the city centre and waterfront.
Weather & Climate near Swansea Castle#
Swansea Castle's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 3°C to 21°C. Abundant rainfall (1064 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 112 mm | overcast | 91% | 6.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| February | Poor | 3° - 8° | 1° | 78 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 3° | 84 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 6° | 64 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 63 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 69 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.3h |
| July | Good | 13° - 21° | 17° | 68 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 15.9h |
| August | Good | 13° - 21° | 17° | 85 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.4 m/s | 1.0 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 11° - 18° | 15° | 93 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 9° - 15° | 12° | 110 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Acceptable | 6° - 11° | 5° | 122 mm | overcast | 89% | 5.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Acceptable | 4° - 9° | 3° | 116 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
