The village of Mumbles is known as the gateway to Gower. What was a fishing village with a Norman Castle is now  a vibrant centre with restaurants, cafes, bars and boutique shops. A good base for your holiday with all these amenities, beaches within easy walking distance and the isolated beaches of the Gower a short distance away. Escape to Rhossili beach in twenty minutes, and return to Mumbles for a wonderful evening out without worrying about having to drive. On offer is also an amusement arcade, skating rink, parks with children's play areas, Mumbles Pier and even a friday night film show in the local hall. During the summer holidays there is also children’s activities in the park provided free of charge by the local authority. Mumbles hosts numerous festivals and events. The Mumbles Jazz festival attracts musicians from around the world and the Navy Days Festival gets bigger every year. The Raft Race is a big event with local community groups, businesses and pubs getting together to race across the bay in ingenious and comical home made rafts. There are too many art fairs and craft markets to mention as well as a monthly farmers market, do not miss the famed lamb burgers cooked on a market stall and served with a mint dressing and a big mushroom in a bun, delicious. If you want a change of scene there is the land train which connects Mumbles to the Blackpill Lido with a lovely cafe overlooking  the paddling and play areas for the children. Futher around the Bay is Swansea itself for shopping as well as museums, art galleries, Wales' premier waterpark the LC and the historic Maritime Quarter. The beaches closest to Mumbles are Limeslade and Bracelet Bay. The former has ample parking, a cafe and Italian restaurant with spectacular views over the bay. The latter an old fashioned style ice cream parlor and cafe. Further along the cliff path are Rotherslade and Langland which are the most popular beaches in the area. There is parking and a number of child friendly cafes. The Langland Brasserie is located next the beach and is open  all day for lunch, afternoon tea and evening meals in a truly fantastic setting. Leave your cares behind and your car if you wish and experience the laid back approach to life in Mumbles where everyone wears shorts from March to October.