
Saturday 20th September will be a day we’ll never forget. The morning began with torrential rain, but just as our launch drew near, the clouds broke and the sun lit up Greenhill Gardens. Nearly 300 people gathered with us to celebrate the official opening of Swansea’s newest urban heritage greenspace – and what a celebration it was.
There were choirs and musicians filling the air with song, volunteers welcoming guests with warmth, and families exploring the three versions of our brand-new heritage trail. Children proudly collected stamps in their “Time Traveller Passports,” balloons floated above the crowd, and every child who finished the trail went home with a badge and a big smile.
And of course – no Matthew’s House celebration would be complete without food. Hundreds of slices of cake and plenty of pizza were shared, as laughter, music and stories echoed around the gardens.
This day was more than an event – it was the fulfilment of an eight-year dream. What was once an overgrown and forgotten space has been transformed into a place of remembrance, beauty, and community. Over 4,000 names of those laid to rest here since the 1700s are now remembered with dignity and permanence, honoured on our new remembrance steels and habitat walls.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible network of volunteers, funders, trades, architects, historians, and friends who poured love, energy, skill and generosity into the project. From early vision to final touches, this has been a story of hope, teamwork, and belief that our city deserves a space like this.
Greenhill Gardens is now open. A gift for our city. A place to pause, to remember, and to belong.
If you joined us on launch day – thank you. If you couldn’t, we invite you to come and see it for yourself. Bring your friends, your family, or simply yourself. This space is for you, for all of us, for Swansea.
📸 If you have photos from the day, please share them and tag us – we’d love to see the memories through your eyes and share them on our online album here!