20 February, 2019
Y Shed
I’m delighted to have found a new local coffee shop! Y Shed (Y = ‘the’ in Welsh) opened at Gowerton Golf Range (Victoria Road, Swansea, SA4 3AB) in December. It’s the brainchild of Sophie Spence, a former Ireland women’s rugby union international, who’s ended up in Swansea via Newcastle and Dublin. With her playing career finishing at the end of 2017 she’s settled in Swansea with her partner and decided to open a coffee shop (although she does also run ‘Spence Rugby Academy’ which delivers rugby camps to girls to increase participation in the women’s game).
Like many rugby players, Sophie loves her coffee and was inspired by the Dublin coffee scene to open a place of her own. When the space at Gowerton Golf Range became available, she totally gutted it and set about creating a space where people can meet and socialise over great coffee. And great coffee she certainly has, with the guys at Coaltown Coffee Roasters supplying the beans. As well as a range of coffee based drinks, there is also tea by ‘Born Wild Tea’ and hot chocolate.
Breakfast is served all day, with the menu being continually tweaked. There’s a very good choice of dishes including a traditional breakfast, a range of butties and vegetarian options such as smashed avocado on toast. Each time I’ve been I’ve opted for the ‘bacon, guacamole & mozzarella buttie’ which is a brioche bun with bacon, homemade guacamole and mozzarella topping. It is delicious. Local produce is used in all dishes, including bread from Little Valley Bakery. Lunch is served from 12pm, with a range of toasties and jackets available, as well as homemade meatballs, chilli dogs and a dish that I really fancy trying, ‘roasted beetroot & feta bruschetta’. A range of cakes are supplied by ‘Florence & Fox’s’, a local baking business.
The layout of the coffee shop allows for a relaxed vibe. Bench seating is arranged around the walls, with tables of different sizes giving varied seating options. There is also a conservatory area at the front with tables and a settee. Sophie’s vision was for a space that would allow people to meet up and have a chat, and there is a cosy, friendly feel to the place.
So all in all I am delighted to have a new local coffee shop! It’s near enough for me to visit when my youngest is in nursery! There is plenty of parking available. My favourite coffee is served here. The owner is a coffee loving rugby player. What is there not to like?! I strongly recommend a visit.
Y Shed opening hours:
- Monday: closed
- Tuesday to Friday: 08:30 – 15:00
- Saturday: 09:00 – 15:00
- Sunday: 09:00 – 14:00
Social Media
- Instagram: @YSHEDCOFFEE
- Facebook: @YSHEDCOFFEE
- Twitter: @YSHEDCOFFEE