Marina Park

The waterfront at Swansea Marina is proper worth an afternoon of your time, particularly if you've pitched up at Swansea Marina Tourer Park just down the road. It's a working marina, so you get the real thing - fishing boats coming and going, the smell of salt water, actual activity rather than a sanitised tourist zone.

You can walk the promenade for free, grab a coffee at one of the cafes dotted along the water's edge, and watch the boats. The views across the bay aren't dramatic, but they're honest and pleasant. On a decent day it's the sort of place where you'll lose an hour without meaning to. Kids will be entertained by the boats and ducks for a bit, though they won't find rides or attractions in the traditional sense.

The marina's handily placed for exploring Swansea proper - the beach is close by, and you can reach other parks in the area like Riverside Holiday Park without too much faffing about. There's a decent restaurant scene around here too, so you're not stuck with chip shop fare.

It's free to wander, and you can spend as little or as long as you like. The real charm is simply being by the water watching people and boats do their thing. Not everyone's cup of tea, but if you like low-key waterfront exploring, it delivers. Go in the morning or late afternoon when it's less crowded.