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Skyline Swansea: what's being built and when it opens

Skyline Swansea is a new visitor attraction being built on Kilvey Hill by Skyline Enterprises, a company that started in Queenstown, New Zealand. Here is what is planned, in plain English, with links to every source.

Opening date: Skyline says 2028. Its project timeline says "mid-2028" and its FAQ says it is "aiming" to open in "late 2028". No exact date has been announced, so treat it as to be confirmed. Ticket prices and opening hours are also to be confirmed.

What's being built

These figures come from the official Skyline Swansea website (home page and FAQ), checked 22 October 2026.

Feature	What we know
Gondola (cable car)	About 1 mile long, from the Copper Quarter near the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks (at Landore Park & Ride) up to the top of the hill. Skyline says it will suit wheelchair users and pushchairs.
Luge (downhill karts)	3 tracks when it opens, average ride length 1,012m. A chairlift takes riders back up. Skyline says it will be its first luge site in the UK.
Sky swing	Top speed of 50mph, according to Skyline.
Mountain bike trails	About 1.25 miles of new trails. Existing trails are to be kept and improved; final routes and grades are still being worked out.
Restaurant	150 seats, with food and drink at the top of the hill.
Adventure playground	About 2,500m² of playground and green space. BBC and WalesOnline describe it as free to use.
Zipline	Planned, but Skyline says it will be added after opening. Date to be confirmed.

Skyline says the attraction will take up less than 9% of Kilvey Hill, that walkers and cyclists will still be able to use the hill for free, and that existing paths will be kept. It expects around 100 permanent jobs in the first year (Skyline FAQ).

The project costs £49m (BBC). Most of the money is private investment by Skyline, with a grant and a repayable loan from Swansea Council and the Welsh Government (Skyline FAQ). WalesOnline reported in July 2026 that the council's share could be up to £10.2m, which it expects to be paid back (WalesOnline).

Swansea Council told the BBC it expects the scheme to add about £84m to the local economy in its first 15 years and to create about 478 construction jobs (BBC).

Timeline

2017Skyline first visits Kilvey Hill while looking for its first site in Europe. Skyline timeline
2023Public consultation. The planning application is sent in in November 2023. Skyline timeline
March 2025Swansea Council approves the plans. Skyline timeline, BBC
Early 2026Site preparation ("enabling works") begins: tree removal, temporary access routes and a site compound. Skyline news
14 May 2026Skyline announces that construction is starting, with earthworks for the luge tracks and groundworks at Landore Park & Ride. Skyline news, WalesOnline
26 May 2026Council works start at Landore Park & Ride. The bus stop moves to Loverose Way. Skyline news
1 July 2026Fencing goes up around work areas, and a temporary path diversion across the hill is approved. Skyline news
July 2026Tree felling along the gondola route, and ground preparation for the luge tracks. Skyline news, BBC
August 2026Remains of a small stone building are found near the summit, then recorded with Archaeology Wales. Skyline news
1 November 2026Planned closure of the southbound A4217 between Brunel Way and White Rock Roundabout, 8am to 5pm. Skyline news
Early 2028Skyline expects to start hiring staff. Skyline news
2028Planned opening: "mid-2028" on the timeline page, "late 2028" in the FAQ. Exact date to be confirmed. Skyline timeline, Skyline FAQ

Not everyone is in favour

The BBC and WalesOnline have reported opposition from some local residents and campaign groups, including the Open Spaces Society, mainly about the loss of green space and wildlife. Skyline says ecologists are supervising the work and that it will plant at least three native trees or shrubs for every tree removed (BBC, Skyline FAQ).

Still to be confirmed

Exact opening date
Ticket prices for the gondola, luge and sky swing
Opening hours and seasons
When the zipline will be added
Where the replacement Park & Ride car park will be (Skyline says the council is working on plans for one nearby)

We'll update this page when official details are published. See latest updates.

Facts on this page last checked: 22 October 2026. Things change during construction, so check the linked sources before you set off.