208 Route 26. THE MUMBLES. From London
The scanty remains of the Castle (14th cent.) are hidden among
the buildings adjoining the Post Office, in Castle St. ; but a view
of the fine arcaded parapet (comp. p. 222) round the keep may be
obtained by descending the narrow lane to the right. — Near the
Victoria Station (L. N. W.) and the extensive Docks (126 acres) is
the Royal Institute of South Wales, containing a good library, an
art-collection, and a museum (adm. Id.). — In the Alexandra Road,
not far from the G. W. R. Station, is the Free Library and Institute
of Science and Art. The Parish Church of St. Mary was rebuilt in
1897; the Dec. chancel, the reputed work of Bishop Gower (p. 222),
is interesting, and contains a few old brasses and monuments.
The Market, erected at a cost of 20,000i., is one of the finest in the
kingdom. — Permission to visit one of the large Copper Works
at Landore is generally obtainable on previous application. The
'tapping' of a blast-furnace at night is an imposing sight.
A good general view of Swansea is obtained from the hill named the
Graig, which rises a little to the W. of the G. W. R. Station. Kilvey Hill,
on the opposite (E.) side of the river, is also a good point of view. — A
fine view of Swansea Bay is obtained from the end of the W. Pier, which
is 2000 ft. long. — From Swansea to Brecon, see p. 216.
From Swansea, to the Mumbles, 572 M., Steam Tramway,
starting opposite the Victoria Station (p. 207), hourly during the
day (fares 7l/-2d., b^l^d.). —■ The road skirts the sands of Swansea
Bay, the natural beauty of which triumphs over many disadvant¬
ages. At St. Helen's Junction the steam-tramway is met by the
electric tramway from Gower St. We pass (on the right) the Victoria
Park, Swansea Cricket Ground, Swansea Bay Recreation Ground,
and Singleton Abbey, the residence of Lord Swansea. On the left
is a fine promenade (benches) overlooking the sea. At (IV2 M.)
St. Gabriels and (3 M.) Mumbles Road are stations of the L. N. W.
Railway. To the left are the remains of a submerged forest, and
to the right, at (31/2M.) Blackpill, are Clyne woods. — 5 M. Oyster-
mouth; 5J/4 M. Southend. — 5'/2 M. Mumbles Pier (see below).
The Mumbles (*Ship § Castle; Mermaid; George; lodgings) is
a rising watering-place which has developed out of the fishing-
village of Oysiermouth and has assumed the name that in strict
parlance belongs to the detached rocks off the S. horn of Swansea
Bay. The name is supposed to be derived from the resemblance of
these rocks to projecting breasts (mammae). The oyster-beds here
have recently recovered some of their former prosperity. From the
Pier (adm. Id.; restaurant), steamers ply in summer to Bristol, Car¬
diff, Swansea, Tenby, Ilfracombe, Lynmouth, etc. The bathing is
tolerable and the boating is good. A marine drive has been carried
round the coast from Southend to Bracelet Bay, passing near the
Lighthouse on Mumbles Head.
The Mumbles forms the usual and most convenient portal to the *Gower
Peninsula, the S.W. corner of Glamorganshire. The whole of this peninsula,
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