Museums and Culture
The Marina lies in the heart of Swansea's cultural quarter. The centrepiece of the entire Maritime Quarter regeneration is the National Waterfront Museum.
Opened in 2005, £33.5 million was spent on integrating a Grade II listed warehouse which previously housed the former Swansea Maritime & Industrial Museum with a new building built out of glass and Welsh slate.
The result is magnificent with a museum park and courtyard garden and the new 'free to enter' museum telling the story of Wales' and Swansea's industrial and maritime history. It is a big hit with visitors of all ages, using the latest computer technology to offer interactive displays throughout its 15 galleries.
Other museums sitting within the Maritime Quarter and therefore within walking distance of Marina residences include Swansea Museum and the Dylan Thomas Centre.
Swansea Museum is the oldest museum in Wales and, housed in a Grade II listed building dating back to 1841, contains collections of objects from the past of Swansea, Wales and the rest of the world. The Dylan Thomas centre has a permanent exhibition on Dylan Thomas and his life called 'Man and Myth' as well as hosting the annual Dylan Thomas Festival and a year-round programme of arts events.
In the city centre, the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is a classic Italian style gallery with a broad spectrum of visual arts including work by old masters and an international collection of porcelain and Swansea china.
For music and theatre there's the centrally-located Grand Theatre offering a range of shows to suit all tastes and ages and an Arts Wing that hosts exhibitions, performances and a Comedy Club.
Other smaller theatres in the Swansea Bay area include the Dylan Thomas Theatre and the Taliesin Arts Centre, all offering a diverse programme of events. The landmark Brangwyn Hall is a regular host to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.