Tower Bridge

Standing on the waterfront at Swansea, Tower Bridge cuts a striking figure against the sky - a Victorian structure that's been keeping watch over the harbour since 1897. It's not the London one, though the comparison is probably inevitable. This is a functional piece of engineering rather than a tourist spectacle, and that's precisely what makes it worth a look.

You can walk across it freely, which takes about five minutes, and the views down the Tawe Estuary are genuinely lovely. On a clear day you'll see across to the Gower Peninsula. The real draw is the nearby regenerated waterfront - the museum, the market, decent cafes - so you're not coming here just for the bridge itself. It works best as part of a morning wander around Swansea's centre rather than a standalone trip.

Historically minded visitors will appreciate what it represents in Welsh industrial heritage, though there's no on-site interpretation to tell you much about it. Kids will get bored after ten minutes unless you make it a longer waterfront adventure. The best time is early morning when it's quiet and you can actually hear the water.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Three Cliffs Bay is about five miles out - this pairs well with the Maritime Quarter and the Promenade. It's not worth a huge detour if you're just after major attractions, but if you're spending a few days in Swansea, it's a proper local landmark worth seeing.