Picturesque coastal destinations in Wales
Calling all bathers, surfers, walkers, and climbers, Wales offers some of the most picturesque beaches with its clear waters, golden sand, sweeping dunes and craggy limestone cliffs. Here’s a roundup of the best and the beautiful Welsh beaches.
Best Beaches in Wales
Rhossili Bay Beach, Gower Peninsula
Located at the southwestern tip of the Gower Peninsula in Wales, Rhossili not only beach offers three miles of golden sands, but there’s also plenty of history and landscapes including the headland, Worm’s Head. Ideal for walkers, there’s paths in every direction, and the beach is also dog friendly all year round. There’s a free carpark for National Trust members (it cares for 2 of the 3 miles of the beach, Rhossili Down, and most of the coastline between Rhossili and Port Eynon) and Rhossili in the local town.
Barafundle Bay, Anglesey
One of Anglesey’s stunning bays (and voted one of Britain’s best beaches), it is only accessible by a half mile walk from the nearest carpark. Expect crystal clear waters, and pristine beach complete with sand dunes, that backs onto pine trees. Remote and romantic, there’s no facilities to see sure to take everything you need with you or you’ll have to back back over the cliffs.
Cefn Sidan, Carmarthenshire
One of the first beaches in Wales to be awarded the blue flag (indicates high environmental and quality standards), there’s over eight miles of beach with plenty pf access along the route (disabled access is best via the main entrance where there is a boardwalk). One for the family, expect shipwrecks that span miles and dog friendly areas.
Freshwater West Beach, Pembrokeshire
A popular destination for surfers, this south-westerly facing beach is known to have the best waves in the county — but note, it’s only for the experienced and strong swimming surfers. The sandy and rocky beach is wide, with dunes on the outskirts which are fragile so camping and barbecues aren’t permitted here. It’s also a popular one for Harry Potter fans as it features in the Deathly Hallows movie.
Morfa Dyffryn Beach, Gwynedd
Situated between Barmouth and Harlech in Gwynedd, Morfa Dyffryn is regarded as having one of the most vital dune systems in Wales due to its bare sand and wildlife habitats, and as such, has National Nature Reserve status. These huge dunes with are subject to the wind are constantly reshaping and adapting to the environmental conditions, providing a home for rare and specialised plants and animals. These are set against the seashore, salt marshes, wildflowers, and grassland which further adds to the wildlife.
Benllech Beach, Anglesey
One of the most most popular beaches on the island for families, Benllech Beach is great for bathing and paddling with its fine golden sand and clear blue water. There’s so easy access, and at low tide the sand stretches for miles giving kids plenty of space to run around.
Three Cliffs Bay, Swansea
One of Gower’s most picturesque beaches, it also offers the
Three Cliffs Walk which is popular amongst climbers and walkers thanks to the heavily folded limestone strata — if walking there’s a route underneath the cliffs through an archway. At a distance of 4km, expect it to take about 1.5 hours to complete the route. Along with cliffs, there’s salt marshes, sand dunes and a castle.
Llangrannog Beach, Ceredigion
The sandy beach of Llangrannog is set on a coastal path and sits below scenic craggy cliffs. It’s family friendly too, with lifeguards over the summer months and a host of Watersport activities on offer such as surfing and sailing. There’s also seal spotting to be done when it’s low tide at the neighbouring Ynys Lochtyn, a small peninsula which is home to a seal colony.
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