Uplands, Swansea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Ordnance Survey | |
| OS grid reference: | Maps for SS6493 |
| Geography | |
| Principal locality | Uplands |
| Total population | 13,355 (2001 census) |
| Land area (km²) | 2.31 (2001 census) |
| Administration | |
| Local council: | City and County of Swansea |
| Number of councillors: | 4 |
| Nation: | Wales |
| Post office and telephone | |
| PostCode(s): | SA1 |
| Dialling code: | +44-1792 |
| Politics | |
| UK Parliament: | Swansea West |
| European Parliament: | Wales |
Uplands is name of an electoral ward, a community and a suburb in the City and County of Swansea, South Wales. The Uplands community does not have a community council.
The electoral ward consists of some or all of the following areas: Uplands, Brynmill, St. Helens, Cwmgwyn, Ffynone and The Lons, in the parliamentary constituency of Swansea West. The ward is bounded by Sketty to the west, Townhill to the north and Castle to the east.
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[edit] Uplands suburb
The leafy suburb of Uplands lies about a mile (2 km) to the west of Swansea city centre. The suburb is centred around the A4118 road which is a major link between Swansea city centre and Sketty. The main road begins as Walter Road from the east and becomes Sketty Road towards the west. Much of the area is located on hilly terrain.
Uplands main shopping area consists of many locally run businesses and refreshingly, is not dominated by big national chain stores. There is a pub here called "The Uplands Tavern" once frequented by the Welsh Poet Dylan Thomas.
This is a relatively affluent area of Swansea. Property prices are above the national average here. Hence council tax rates are quite high - falling into band C and above. The housing stock here consists of fairly large properties. Three storey properties and properties containing four bedrooms or more are common. Many of the larger properties are converted into student bedsits. Hence, this area is popular for students attending Swansea University.
Eaton Crescent is where politician Michael Heseltine grew up in his childhood. The crescent is considered one of the most upmarket residential areas close to the city centre. The street consists mainly of large three storey semi detached and terraced 4-6 bedroom town houses with extremely spacious interior rooms. During the late 1980s, a large number of properties were converted for use as student bedsits but since the millenium it has returned to housing wealthy families.
Llyn-Y-Bryn College, part of Swansea College is located here. There are two private schools in the area; Oakley House provides junior schooling, and Ffynone House provides Middle schooling for GCSE and A-Level pupils. The local park is Cwmdonkin Park. A noticeable landmark in the area is St. James Church situated in an attractive leafy area to the east of the Uplands. The official residence of The Lord Mayor of Swansea is located just north of St. James Church.
[edit] Brynmill
The suburb of Brynmill is located in the city of Swansea, south Wales. It lies about two miles (3 km) to the west of the city centre. Brynmill is bounded by Swansea Bay to the south; Brynmill Lane to the west; Glanbrydan Avenue to the north; and Bry-y-Mor Road to the north-east and Guildhall road to the south-east. It is a residential area forming the southern part of the Uplands electoral ward. As it is close to Swansea university, many students choose to rent rooms here during term time. Aside from the student population, this is a fairly middle class area.
Brynmill is situated on hilly terrain. Many of the properties are built on slopes. Property subsidence is a problem here. Property prices here are around the national average. Council tax rates here are quite high. The area offers convenient access to the city centre shopping area via the Oystermouth Road to the South and Sketty Road to the North. However these roads are rather congested during peak hours.
[edit] Local Amenities
The world famous St Helens Rugby and Cricket Ground is located to the South of Brynmill. St.Helen's also plays host to the annual Guy Fawkes night fireworks display.
The Swansea waterfront promenade and cycle track crosses Brynmill across its southern boundary. This is just a few metres away from St. Helens. Here you will find a war memorial and a memorial to Swansea Jack. The truss structure of the Oystermouth bridge is now located here. The terminus of the mumbles land train is situated here.
Immediately south of the promenade lies Swansea Bay. Here is a large sandy beach with a fairly calm waters and a very large tidal range. At high tide the beach is almost entirely covered by Swansea Bay's waters. At low tide, it is about 1/4 mile walk to the water front.
Directly west of St. Helens is the recreation ground. This is a venue used to host travelling funfairs and circuses. It has hosted the famous Moscow State Circus and Chinese State Circus, Gerry Cottle's Circus has performed here frequently. The Rec, as it is known, is also host to a Park and ride car park.
To the East of St. Helens is Victoria Park containing bowling greens and tennis courts. For younger children, there are swings to Play on. Victoria Park contains the Patti Pavilion, serving as a village hall and is a venue for village fêtes, pantomime, and other theatrical entertainment as well as music gigs. Located at the South East corner of Victoria Park is a weather station containing a Stevenson screen.
Further East of Victoria Park is the Swansea Guildhall complex with its tall clock tower being visible from a distance. The guildhall houses the City of Swansea council offices. The Northern section of the Guildhall complex houses Law courts. The Southern part of the Guild Hall complex houses the Brangwyn Hall - a popular centre of social and cultural life in Swansea. This is a venue for performances of the BBC Welsh Symphony orchestra. This is also used as the venue for graduation ceremonies for new graduates from Swansea university. For a number of years, the Chinese New Year celebrations have been held here for the Chinese community in Swansea.
The local primary school is Brynmill Primary School. Brynmill Park is the local park which is separated from Singleton Park by Brynmill Lane. Singleton Park houses the Brynmill stream which was the town boundary and which was being used to power a corn mill as far back the fifteenth century. (Swansea before Industry, Swansea Museum Services.) St. Benedict's Catholic Church is on Sketty Road.
[edit] Famous residents
- It is the birthplace of the Welsh Poet Dylan Thomas, recognised for many great literary works in the English language.
- Michael Heseltine (Conservative Party|Conservative MP) lived here on Eaton Crescent during his childhood.
[edit] References
- Heseltine, Michael (2001): Life in the Jungle: My Autobiography. Coronet Books. ISBN 0-340-73916-9
- Swansea RFC History
- Glanmor Williams [1990]. Swansea, An Illustrated History. Christopher Davies (Publishers) Ltd. ISBN 0-7154-0714-7
[edit] External links
| Swansea electoral wards |
|
Bishopston | Bon-y-maen | Castle | Clydach | Cockett | Cwmbwrla | Dunvant | Fairwood | Gorseinon | Gower | Gowerton | Killay North | Killay South | Kingsbridge | Landore | Llangyfelach | Llansamlet | Lower Loughor | Mawr | Mayals | Morriston | Mynydd-Bach | Newton | Oystermouth | Penclawdd | Penderry | Penllergaer | Pennard | Penyrheol | Pontarddulais | St. Thomas | Sketty | Townhill | Uplands | Upper Loughor | West Cross |
| Communities of Swansea |
|
Birchgrove | Bishopston | Bon-y-maen | Castle | Clydach | Cockett | Cwmbwrla | Dunvant | Gorseinon | Gowerton | Grovesend | Ilston | Killay | Landore | Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton | Llangyfelach | Llanrhidian Higher | Llanrhidian Lower | Llansamlet | Llwchwr | Mawr | Morriston | Mumbles | Mynydd-Bach | Penderry | Penllergaer | Pennard | Penrice | Pontarddulais | Pont-Lliw | Port Eynon | Reynoldston | Rhossili | Sketty | St. Thomas | Townhill | Uplands | Upper Killay |
