Wales National Pool

The Wales National Pool sits bang in the middle of Swansea, and it's exactly what you'd expect from a proper Olympic-standard facility - serious lap swimmers share the water with families splashing about in the shallow end. The main draw is the 50-metre pool, which genuinely impresses even if you're just watching from the gallery. There's usually a teaching pool for younger kids learning to swim, and the leisure pool does the job for casual swimmers who don't fancy battling lane swimmers.

You'll want to allow a couple of hours minimum, though families with small children could easily spend half a day here. It's the sort of place where kids might get restless if they're not confident swimmers - they won't be entertained by the vibe alone. Better for ages 5 onwards, really, or if you've got teenagers wanting proper swimming time.

Admission and opening hours vary, so check before you turn up - nothing worse than a 20-minute drive only to find it's closed for a gala or shut for maintenance. Parking in Swansea town centre can be fiddly, so arrive early.

If you're based at Riverside Holiday Park or SWDA Riverside a few miles out, this works well as a rainy-day activity or when you fancy something structured. It's not a destination in itself - you wouldn't plan a holiday around it - but as part of a Swansea break with proper beaches nearby, it slots in nicely. Go on a weekday morning if you can; weekends get rammed.