Sandfields, Swansea

Sandfields is an area of Swansea bounded by St. Helen's Road to the North, Oystermouth Road to the south and Dillwyn Street to the east. This area lies immediately west of the main shopping district in the city centre. Sandfields in Swansea is often confused with Sandfields Port Talbot, even by the post office.

The Sandfields area consists mostly of two story terraced houses, with some larger housing as well as several pubs and schools. Rising above the east end of the Sandfields is the Vetch football ground, former home of Swansea City A.F.C. football club. In 2005 the football ground was closed and after an emotional final game the club relocated to the new stadium at Morfa outside Swansea. Discussion continues as of 2005 on what should be done with the Vetch ground. Several previous planning proposals to build houses on the field have been rejected. A barracks for the Territorial Army is located adjacent to the Vetch. The small terraced houses have helped keep the area relatively free of student accommodation and the family atmosphere of the Sandfields makes it a popular area with house buyers.

Today the sea frontage edge of Sandfields along the Oystermouth road is a line of mostly small privately owned hotels. Adjacent to the line of hotels is Swansea HM Prison. Across the road from the prison and in some eyes a conveniently short distance away is Swansea County Hall built on part of the original Mumbles Railway which ran along the sea front until 1960.

Local legend states that custard powder was invented here in one of the side streets near the Vetch Field. The story goes that Alfred Bird of Bird's Custard fame was a chemist who had a chemist shop in this area. Alfred Bird in fact invented egg-free custard powder using cornflour, and did so in Bull Street Birmingham.

Christ Church Infant School and St. Helens Infant and Primary Schools serve the local area. It was in a school room at Christ Church school in 1863 that Christ Church on the Oystermouth Road was founded, becoming a separate parish in 1871.

Swansea Council intends the Sandfields area to remain primarily residential. With the exception of limited extension of hotels on the Oystermouth road the planning policy for the area is to prohibit further commercial usage within the Sandfields community.

Swansea Crown Court is housed in a building situatated on the far south west corner of Sandfields opposite the Guildhall.