Why is the village called Mumbles?
by Carol Powell M.A.
FACEBOOK PAGE for - A History of Mumbles >
Latest : Recent additions >
TO SEARCH for an unusual name: Search help >Mumbles, situated on a headland, is on the western edge of Swansea Bay
...The very word sets you wondering what sort of a place
is known by such a fascinating name.
The area is possibly named after the two islands, which stand sentinel at the end of the promontory.
One theory is that they were so called, perhaps by the Romans, because of their visual similarity to ‘breasts’—‘mamma’ in Latin and ‘mammelles’ in French.
The two Islands viewed from Bracelet Bay,
Oystermouth Parish and Mumbles
Historically, Mumbles Village, near Swansea, occupied the area approximately from the Prince’s fountain Southend >-outalong to Blackpill . Oystermouth was the name of the parish, which encompassed the hamlets of Newton >, Norton >, West Cross > Blackpill >and the Mumbles village itself.
Today, the names Oystermouth and Mumbles > seem to be used interchangeably and the three new parishes of Newton, Llwynderw and Oystermouth minister to the much expanded population of this same area.
Also included in 'our' area of research are- Caswell Bay >, Langland Bay Bracelet and Limeslade Bay > as well as Mayals and Clyne Gardens >.
A Brief History
In 1807 the locality was home to some 715 people who spoke with a distinct South-Gower dialect and made their living largely from oyster-dredging >, quarrying > and farming >.
As time went by, these industries began to decline and another—tourism took their place. By the end of the Victorian era, The Mumbles as it was now known, had become a bustling holiday magnet for many visitors, with its attractions such as the skating rinks, fairground >, pier, concerts >, regattas, multitude of family-owned shops and its delightful scenery.
Today, the oyster-dredgers, quarrymen and trains have gone and the dialect has all but disappeared. Mumbles has now become a suburb of Swansea, Wales’ second city and yet a pronounced village atmosphere prevails, which sets it apart from the main City.
The Mumbles Village and Bays
Mumbles often called ‘The Gateway to Gower’ and ‘The Jewel in Swansea’s Crown’, is perhaps best known as the destination of the world’s first fare-paying passenger railway >, when back in 1807, Benjamin French introduced a horse-drawn carriage on rails, which would run from Brewery Bank in Swansea five miles around the bay to Castle Hill (opposite today’s Quarry car park) in Mumbles, taking paying passengers on sightseeing excursions for a fare of one shilling each way — a great deal of money in those days. In 1877 the railway company brought in steam power and the line was electrified in 1929, introducing a fleet of eleven large tramcars each seating one hundred and six people and which many of us remember fondly.
Today over sixty years after its closure and replacement with a promenade, the village continues to attract visitors to such familiar sites as the imposing Norman castle, the Georgian lighthouse, built in 1794 and the Victorian pier opened in 1898.
Oystermouth was the name of the parish, which encompassed the hamlets of
Newton, Norton, West Cross, Blackpill and the Mumbles village itself.
Also included in 'our' area are-
Southend, Caswell Bay, Langland Bay >, Bracelet and Limeslade Bays >
as well as Mayals Clyne Gardens and Clyne Valley >.
Mumbles Village Today
Mumbles remains a hive of activity with its quality craft shops, art galleries, book-shop, notable clothes and interior design establishments and a myriad of excellent restaurants.
Every-day requirements such as groceries, bread, fish, meat, vegetables, health foods, kitchenware, newspapers and magazines are also catered for in the broad selection of specialist shops and you can even enter an enchanted fairy world at a certain premises, unique to the Mumbles!
The castle presents an impressive backdrop overlooking the village and you can enjoy a visit, climb to its battlements and experience breathtaking views of the surrounding area, or perhaps saunter along the prom, enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee or just sit and relish the seaside panorama. The Mumbles— a village with atmosphere and traditional hospitality Come and enjoy the 'Now', while our website enables you to glance back at our 'Then'.
Back on 6 June 1929, the local newspaper, the Mumbles Press printed a letter, which had been published in the London Daily Chronicle under the heading 'Should Mumbles be Developed?'
'Some people seeing in Swansea's near neighbour a new Margate, sight for piers, promenade and concerts, but there is no money for such projects. Now it is complained that the name itself is an insuperable obstacle. There is nothing romantic it is argued, about the sound of 'Mumbles,' which must convey to people who do not know its delightful combination of cliffs and bays, the idea of a desolate waste of grim rocky headlands.'
Isn't it strange how things change? Nowadays, people come to visit and view online because they are fascinated by the name and most of us who live here, love its title, the beautiful surroundings of five delightful bays and the glorious cliff path walks-yes in all its weathers!
Why not come and spend some time here in our village when a look at the locality would not be complete without a visit to some of our five distinctive beaches nearby — Bracelet, Limeslade, Rotherslade, Langland and Caswell. Alternatively, you could become absorbed in a trip back in time by exploring our website.