Uplands, Swansea

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Uplands Ward**

Ordnance Survey
OS grid reference:	Maps for SS6493
Geography
Principal locality	Uplands
Total population	13,355 (2001 census)
Land area (km²)	2.31 (2001 census)
Administration
Local council:	City and County of Swansea
Number of councillors:	4
Nation:	Wales
Post office and telephone
PostCode(s):	SA1, SA2
Dialling code:	+44-1792
Politics
Welsh Assembly:	Swansea West
UK Parliament:	Swansea West
European Parliament:	Wales

Uplands is name of an electoral ward, a community and a suburb in the City and County of Swansea, South Wales. The Uplands community does not have a community council.

The electoral ward consists of some or all of the following areas: Uplands, Brynmill, St. Helens, Cwmgwyn, Ffynone and The Lons. It is in the parliamentary constituency of Swansea West. The ward is bounded by Sketty to the west, Townhill to the north, Castle to the east, and Swansea Bay to the south.

1 Uplands suburb
2 Famous residents
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Uplands suburb

The suburb of Uplands lies about a mile (2 km) to the west of Swansea city centre. It is centred around the A4118 road which is a major link between Swansea city centre and Sketty. The main road begins as Walter Road from the east and becomes Sketty Road towards the west. Much of the area is hilly.

Uplands' main shopping area consists of many locally run businesses and is not dominated by national chain stores. There is a pub here called "The Uplands Tavern" once frequented by the Welsh Poet Dylan Thomas.

Uplands is a relatively affluent area of Swansea. Property prices are above the national average, hence council tax rates are quite high; falling into band C and above. The housing stock consists of fairly large properties. Three storey properties and properties containing four bedrooms or more are common. Many of the larger properties have been converted into student bedsits, hence, this area is popular for students attending Swansea University.

Eaton Crescent is where politician Michael Heseltine grew up in his childhood. The crescent is considered one of the most upmarket residential areas close to the city centre. The street consists mainly of large three storey semi-detached and terraced 4-6 bedroom town houses with extremely spacious interior rooms. During the late 1980s, a large number of properties were converted for use as student bedsits but since the millennium it has mainly returned to housing families.

Llyn-Y-Bryn College, part of Swansea College is located here. There are two private schools in the area; Oakley House provides junior schooling, and Ffynone House provides Middle schooling for GCSE and A-Level pupils. The local park is Cwmdonkin Park. A noticeable landmark in the area is St. James Church situated in a leafy area to the east of the Uplands. The official residence of The Lord Mayor of Swansea is located just north of St. James Church.

[edit] Famous residents

It is the birthplace of the Welsh Poet Dylan Thomas, recognised for many great literary works in the English language.
Michael Heseltine (Conservative Party|Conservative MP) lived here on Eaton Crescent during his childhood.

[edit] References

Heseltine, Michael (2001): Life in the Jungle: My Autobiography. Coronet Books. ISBN 0-340-73916-9
Swansea RFC History
Glanmor Williams [1990]. Swansea, An Illustrated History. Christopher Davies (Publishers) Ltd. ISBN 0-7154-0714-7