Below is my "Days Out" column from The Weekend supplement in the Saturday, October 28, 2013, issue of the South Wales Evening Post.Days Out! With Richard Thomas ...IF THE WEATHER'S BAD The Grand Theatre is a performing arts venue in the centre of Swansea. The theatre stages various plays, pantomimes and touring theatrical acts visiting Swansea. Since 1897 the 1,000-seat auditorium has been providing the public with a broad range of cultural, artistic and general entertainment events. The Grand Theatre was designed by the architect William Hope of Newcastle in 1897. It was built by D. Jenkins and was opened by Madam Adelina Patti - an Opera Diva of her day - under the original proprietors Morell and Mouillot. The Swansea Corporation leased the building in May 1969 and bought it outright in 1979. The Theatre was then refurbished and updated during the period 1983 - 1987 at a cost of EUR6.5 million. A further EUR1 million was spent for the Arts Wing to open its doors for the first time in 1999. Over the last twenty years, the fabric of the theatre has been improved and enhanced considerably, thanks to the support of the former Swansea Corporation, Swansea City Council and more recently the City and County of Swansea. However, none of the theatre's unique identity has suffered as a result of this improvement and today's Grand is as full of charm and atmosphere as was the case when the theatre first opened its doors all those years ago. WHERE? The Grand is situated in the heart of Swansea's city centre on Singleton Street. WHY? The Grand Theatre in Swansea has a wide variety of shows and exhibitions for everyone to enjoy. WHEN? The Grand is open Monday to Saturday between 9.30am and 8pm, on non-performance days they close at 6pm. On Sundays the theatre is open for one hour before performances. CONTACT: To book tickets call the Box Office on 01792 475715. WHO WILL ENJOY IT? The Arts Wing is the most recent development at The Grand and adds almost 2000 square metres of extra space to the theatre. The contemporary space holds exhibitions, conferences and smaller-scale music and drama performances including lunchtime theatre on the last Saturday of each month and a regular comedy club featuring acts on the comedy circuit. WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS? Today (Saturday 26 October) children can see Erth's Dinosaur Zoo. HOW DO I GET THERE? For sat nav users the postcode is SA1 3QJ. LUNCH? On the top floor there is also the Rooftop Caf , Restaurant and Bar with its own terrace, affording unique views of Swansea. Morning tea and coffee, lunchtime specials and pre-show dinners are available in the theatre's Footlights CafBar. Located in the theatre's delightful garden area it's the perfect setting to meet with friends for a drink or a light meal. The menu includes fresh Italian coffees, a variety of teas, sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, pasties, cold drinks and fresh pastries. ANYTHING ELSE IN THE AREA? There are two excellent museums nearby to visit. Swansea Museum on Victoria Road has six galleries containing all kinds of unusual objects from Swansea's past as well as the wider world. One highlight is The Amazing Cabinet of Curiosities gallery dedicated to everything Victorian, an era that was obsessed with the bizarre and strange. There are also Egyptology exhibits including an Ancient Egyptian mummy see. And just down the road is National Waterfront Museum which houses more than 100 historical artefacts from Wales' industrial past.
...IF THE WEATHER'S GOOD At the Dinosaur Park Tenby you can come face to face with life size dinosaurs both great and small lurking in the woods on their dino Trail. There are 30 prehistoric creatures roaming the ancient woodland and Kids will enjoy helping the park ranger discover how many T-Rex roam the woodland, using their radio, lookout towers and field stations to accomplish their mission. With your brush in hand, visitors can also enjoy unearthing dinosaur fossils and discover which dinosaur it is. Visitors can also make friends with the animals in Victorian walled garden and meet wallabies, sheep, kune kune pigs, donkeys. Afterwards you can head to the Fun Barn to cuddle a rabbit or guinea pig and then check out the creepy crawlies demonstrations board. Around the park you will find stations were you can stamp the boxes on a passport you are given. Once you have collected all stamps you will be able to collect a medal. Entry prices are EUR9.25 for adults, EUR8.25 for children, EUR7.75 for OAP's and EUR6.25 for disabled. Children 2 and under visit for free. For more information visit: . WHERE? The Dinosaur Park is situated on the B4318 at Gumfreston between Tenby and Sageston. For sat-nav users the postcode is SA70 8RB. WHY? From the 26 October to 2 November the park will be holding special Halloween Days. Activities include a spooky trail, face painting, pumpkin carving and Halloween craft sessions. WHEN? Until 2 November the park will be open between 10.30am and 4pm daily. CONTACT: Phone 01834 845272 or email greatwedlock@btinternet.com. HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE? There are lots of activities to try inside the park, including the Astra Slide, 18 hole Adventure and Frishee Golf, 4x4 Off Roader Course, Super Jumper Trampolines, Big Game Hunting, Bubble Ride, Jungle Climb, Pedal Trucking, Disco Boats, Motorised Tractors, Orbiter Cars &fabulous Tubey Run. With so much to see and do, you'll want to stay until closing time and come back on another weekend. WHO WILL ENJOY IT? There is something for all age groups inside the park, including the Family Games Garden with Dinos & Ladders, Jurassic Jigsaws, Guess Who?, Roaring Racers and Hooplasaurus. WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS? Children will have a fantastic time climbing, sliding and scrambling in the adventure play area. The 23 metre climb-a-saurus provides lots of fun for older children and under 5's will like the Tiny Terror'saur. WHERE CAN I PARK? There is an on site car park. LUNCH: The park is a great place for a picnic with lots of grassland areas and a picnic marquee if you want to eat indoors. ANYTHING ELSE IN THE AREA? Folly Farm is much more than just a zoo, the 200 acre park is also home to Europe's largest undercover vintage funfair with a huge collection of working rides and stalls including a vintage big wheel and giant helter skelter ride lovingly restored to their 20th century glory. The address is: Folly Farm, Begelly, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire, SA68 0XA. Phone 01834 812731. Also in Tenby isHeatherton World of Activities, a family leisure park with a wide range of both indoor and outdoor activities, offering something for the whole family to enjoy. Admission to the park is free as visitors only pay for what they want to do. Visit .
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