Green Flag Award Winners for 2008 are: Clyne Gardens, Singleton Botanical Gardens and Victoria Park!

Discover Clyne Gardens, home to the National Collections of Pieris, Enkianthus and Rhododendrons. Highlights include the giant leaf rhubarb (which can grow to 8ft!), the Japanese Bridge, a beautiful lake and Azalea garden. Children will enjoy the many features of the gardens including a story tree, a small tower and a miniature cottage. Conveniently located just off Oystermouth Road at Blackpill, the gardens are free and open every day of the year. www.swansea.gov.uk/clyne

A few miles away along the bay, the Botanical Gardens are set within an old walled garden at the heart of Singleton Park. They house one of Wales' premier plant collections, with herbaceous borders and large glasshouses. In August, don't miss the 'Botanics in Bloom' Festival and enjoy guided tours of the gardens, featuring Dahlias and Fuchsias along with a host of summer bedding in a riot of colour! www.swansea.gov.uk/botanics

A stone's throw away from Singleton Park, you will find the beautiful Brynmill Park. Steeped in history, it dates back to Victorian era, which makes it one of Swansea's oldest parks. Age-old trees grace the edges of the lake where ducks and swans live, and there are plenty of green spaces for kicking a ball or having a picnic. However, Brynmill Park is also leading the way with a wicked children's play area and the opening of the new Discovery Centre near the bowling pavilion. www.swansea.gov.uk/brynmill

If the sun isn't shining, opt for Plantasia, a hothouse pyramid featuring over 5000 unusual exotic plants including rare specimens such as the endangered Cowboy Cactus, which is an Agave from the deserts of America, and the African Violet Orchid. At certain times of year you can wander through the Butterfly House, but before you leave, make sure you catch a glimpse of the cotton top tamarin monkeys!

Other parks and green spaces include Cwmdonkin Park, which inspired the famous poet Dylan Thomas (whose birthplace is nearby) and Victoria Park, which features formal gardens and beautiful herbaceous areas, and can be found just a stone's throw away from the Swansea Bay Promenade.

The area's 20 nature reserves include woodland, grassland, and even a cliff top reserve offering breathtaking views over the Gower Peninsula. Our nature reserves are home to numerous rare plant and animal species and are great for wildlife watching!

You might like to to follow our parks and gardens trail or search for parks, gardens and nature reserves in Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower here.