Swansea Canal

The Swansea Canal Society is working hard to restore the canal and it holds regular volunteering days.

The canal is now a popular trail and the towpath is part of the National Cycle Network although if you prefer paddles to wheels then Swansea Canal Society hires canoes and kayaks from Coed Gwilym Park, Clydach every Sunday in summer.

If you're in the area, a trip to the heritage centre in Coed Gwilym Park Clydach is a great way to familiarise yourself with the history of the canal. Open Saturday 11.00-3.00pm Sun 12.00–3.00pm.

Nature has reclaimed many parts of the canal, which are habitats for eels and water birds. So plans for restoration have been designed to protect both the canal's wildlife and its rich cultural heritage.

At the impressive Lower Clydach Aqueduct, you can see a grand meeting of the waters, where the canal joins with the Lower Clydach River and the River Tawe.

If you want to explore the River Tawe further the Swansea Community Boat Trust runs trips, which explain the rich industrial past of the Swansea Valley and Copperopolis.

The City of Swansea was known as 'Copperopolis' in the 18th and 19th centuries, indeed in 1820, 90% of all the copper-smelting capacity of Britain was based within twenty miles of the city and it was widely regarded as the world centre for copper-ore smelting and metal manufacturing and is one of the earliest industrial centres of Wales.

Green Flag award

We are very proud that for the second year running, the Swansea Canal has been awarded a prestigious Green Flag in Keep Britain Tidy's Award Scheme.