Blackpill
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Blackpill is a suburban area of Swansea, south Wales. It is located beside Swansea Bay, about 4 miles south west of the city centre. Blackpill falls into the Mayals ward.
Situated on the seafront is building which once served as a station and power station for the Swansea and Mumbles Railway. Today it houses a cafe called "The Junction" as well as housing a public convenience.
The southern entrance to the Clyne valley cycle track is located just across the road from the boating lake area. This cycle track runs though the Clyne Valley Country Park to Killay, Dunvant and Gowerton, by following the route of a former railway line, which formed the start of the Heart of Wales Line prior to the Beeching Axe of the 1960s.
Sloping uphill to the west of Blackpill are Clyne Gardens (Gerddi Clun), the beautifully landscaped former park of Clyne Castle. Clyne Castle, first built in the late 18th century and much altered, was for half a century a university hall, but is now converted to flats, while futuristic housing is replacing demolished 20th-century student accommodation blocks.
[edit] Leisure
Blackpill is best known by locals for its leisure facilities. A boating lake was located here for about thirty years which has now been converted in to a shallow swimming pool with water features that is very popular with young children during the summer. North of the boating lake is a mini golf course sandwiched between a busy carriageway and cycle track. Blackpill Pitch-and-Putt, despite its name, is actually located within the Sketty electoral ward and Community. The course, colloquially (and ironically) known in some quarters as "Royal Ashleigh", (due to its proximity to Ashleigh Road) is in fact a small municipally-owned links course. It is often advertised as a nine-hole course, but in fact has ten par-three holes. Clubs are available for hire, and it is open to the general public. The golf course has a crazy golf area and a small obstacle course for BMX bikers and skate-boarders. On the West Cross side of Blackpill is a recreation ground containing a large ramp for BMX bikers and skate-boarders to practice their aerial stunts on.
[edit] Blackpill Beach
Blackpill Beach is a haven for wildlife, and wildlife watchers. Large numbers of wading birds and a variety of gulls, some rare, gather here at high tide. Unfortunately, the birds are often disturbed at their roost by anti-social joggers and dog-walkers. Nevertheless, it is a popular area for birdwatchers. The beach and the stream that flows out of the area is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.
