Swansea City is Wales’ second city, but while the city itself is bustling and thriving, the region also has some of the best natural attractions in the UK. The city has a lovely marina and seafront, but it is also situated well to access the rest of south west Wales’ scenery. The Gower Peninsula’s campus bays and beaches were the UK’s first ever Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the mountains of Carmarthenshire and the forest parks and waterfalls of Afan Valley and the Vale of Neath are nearby. Swansea also has a significant student population, which contributes to the vibrancy of Swansea’s city centre and Maritime Quarter, both of which are undergoing major regeneration efforts. Several parts of Swansea have made the list of the top ten best places to live and work in the UK in a study commissioned by the Royal Mail, based on factors including good schools, access to green space, and commuting times.