Oystermouth is located in the district of Mumbles, Swansea, Wales, and is a small town with a population of around 4500.  It sits alongside the oceanfront, though to be honest when we looked at the colour of the water at the ‘beaches’ there our first reaction was “Yuck!”.  I have to say I am a little puzzled by the UK population’s obsession with going to the seaside when many of their seaside areas (or at the least the ones we saw) were far from appealing.  However, what the UK may lack in beautiful tropical-like beaches, it more than makes up with its history, culture, and never ending supply of fascinating inhabitants. 

Driving to Oystermouth from the Ballas farm guesthouse took us alongside much of the waterfront of Swansea, though we saw only very little of the city area.  Like many of the towns in the UK, finding parking was a mission in Oystermouth, but after many expeditions up many streets, several U-turns, at least two near-physical brawls between Di and I arguing about where we could or could not park – we found a small carpark up a side street that comes off the main road that Oystermouth castle sits next to.  However, all was not quite how it seemed!

Now somewhat relaxed, having my very own carpark albeit up a fairly steep hill, I walked confidently and almost with a hint of arrogance to the pay machine as I watched other drivers going up and down the road, likely also looking for a park – haha, suckers!  I gleefully slipped my wallet from my pocket, excitedly slid my credit card from its little home, lifted it toward the machine, and then NO!  No, it can’t be, but it was, the machine accepted only coins.  It turned out I was the sucker!

So off we strode down the road a little, took a right and with much hope walked onwards believing eventually we would find a shop where we could then ask for some cash out.  The first, and it seemed the only shop that was anywhere near the carpark was possibly the World’s smallest Pharmacy.  So Di and I wandered in, well it was more like shuffled in as the approximately four square metres of shop space was not really enough to wander around in.  We pretended to be extremely interested in throat lozenges, purchased a box and sheepishly asked the lovely pharmacy assistant if we could have four pounds with our purchase.  She obliged with a smile and I gladly took the two coins – prizing them as though they were gold doubloons.  I made my way back to the pay machine, fed them in, took the ticket and put it on my dashboard  with only a handful of expletives uttered during the process.

We soon arrived at Oystermouth castle after about a ten minute walk, mostly down hill.  Oystermouth castle was built in the early 1100’s , and had several owners/inhabitants.  IT was under constant attack by the Welsh people, as it housed English Earls and Lords.  Now the Swansea Council, along with a group named “The Friends of Oystermouth castle” take care of its maintenance.  The people running the shop and being guides for those who wanted them were a friendly helpful bunch.  We toured the castle ourselves though.  Many glass walkways have been put in taking you from one part of the castle to the other  as much of the castle is in ruins and so subsequently missing its original floors.  Quite a novel idea, though if like me and you don’t like heights, it does take a bit of bravery and pushing yourself psychologically to walk across.   

We recommend giving the castle about 90 minutes of your time to have a decent look.  The grounds around the castle, though not extensive, are also pleasant to have a walk through. 

The Oystermouth township is pleasant enough, packed full of shops, cafes and alike.  As it was school holidays, and being a seaside town, it was very busy with holiday makers and young families.  Though it’s population is quite small, I had the feeling that with a fairly regular flow of visitors the township is likely kept quite busy most of the year round, maybe excluding the deep dark few weeks of mid-winter.