Going Coastal
This country is renowned for its coastlines and beaches. Jake Young and Ffion Riordan-Jones celebrate a few of the prime coastal spots around Wales.
Wales has a total of 47 blue flag beaches – England, by contrast, has a proportionally smaller 65 – an award given for cleanliness and beauty by the Foundation For Environmental Education. Take a look at some of the best places to be sitting by the shoreside in Wales.
Pembrokeshire
Tenby
An obvious choice perhaps, but no list of Welsh beaches would be complete without Tenby for good reason. The South Beach spans over a mile and a half, which is bustling with activities over the summer months. On the flipside of the town you have the smaller North Beach, where you are met with quaint multi-coloured houses and pubs aplenty.
Saundersfoot
Just north of Tenby is Saundersfoot, with a beautiful harbour buried away in the surrounding hills. It’s perfect for those who do love to be beside the seaside but a slightly more relaxed experience than Tenby. A brilliant walk to take is through the mining tunnels that lead you away from the centre to Coppet Hall Beach and Wiseman’s Bridge.
Lindsway Bay
If you want somewhere isolated, a top pick would be Lindsway Bay on the outskirts of Milford Haven. Once you walk through the playing fields of Ishmael Village, you are greeted with a secluded beach hidden amongst the red stone cliffs. This beach in particular is ideal for those who love an adventure and get a thrill from discovering something new.
St. Davids
Travel up to the northern quarter of the county and you’ll find St Davids, where the bays of Caerbwdi and Porthmeglan are sheltered nearby – again, they might be a challenge to get to, but are well worth the effort. Officially the smallest city in Britain, the area around St. Davids is brimming winding roads to unknown coves of beauty, with the cathedral like a beacon in the distance. If you love your wildlife, a boat trip to Ramsey Island, an RSPB reserve where razorbills and guillemots nest.
Abereiddi Blue Lagoon
Created when an old slate quarry was breached and filled by the sea, this accidentally man-made lagoon is a great place to dive into the waters – if you’re feeling brave! The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path curls around here, so you can either wander off on a walk afterward soaking the (let’s face it, almost certainly freezing) sea.
North Wales
Portmeirion
Portmeirion is a Mediterranean-inspired treat for those who love architectural delights, almost entirely designed by the architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. In popular culture it was the setting for the cult TV series {The Prisoner}, with Festival No. 6 no residing in the town too. You can walk through the Central Piazza and then take a stroll down The Quayside, with this picture-perfect town presenting a southerly beauty atypical to the northern half of Europe.
Porth Trecastell, Anglesey
Picking a surfing spot along the north Wales coast can at times prove difficult, as the swells are slightly unpredictable. If you want a bay where the swell is renowned for great waves, Porth Trecastell on Anglesey, also known as Cable Bay, is a brilliant spot. It’s a secluded beach with consistent waves, albeit not the longest ride – and great for anyone interested in water-based adventure shenanigans, as kayaking has also proven popular in this area.
Porth Dyniewaid and Little Orme
Near Llandudno, this astonishing secluded beach is sometimes taken over by seals (in which case, stay away!), but when free it is one of the best beach spots on the coast. It might be a challenge to get to, but well worth the trouble for the intrepid hiker/beach bum, if such a thing exists.
South Wales
Cefn Sidan
No need to go somewhere tropic to find a white sand beach – Wales has its very own. Cefn Sidan in Carmarthenshire is the perfect spot for families, surfers, dog walkers and weekend getaways. With the tide going far out you will find its vast expanse of majestic clean sands, making it easy to relax or spice up your day to the beach with the numerous activities on offer, from kite-karting, horse riding, surfing or all the easily accessible local leisure facilities in town.
Royal Porthcawl Golf Club
As the name might suggest, this course offers a regal atmosphere to your leisure time. Feel the magnificence as you play a tranquil game of golf against the backdrop of a stunning grand vista of the Welsh coastline. This spot has been described as one of the most challenging yet delightful courses to play on, and unlike a certain golf course in Scotland, you don’t have to worry about Donald Trump turning up.
Bluepool Corner
This rockpool on the northwestern tip of the Gower peninsula is stunning. Sitting atop the beach, as if a step onto the cliffs above, this rockpool is deep enough to dive into freely, a surefire win for swimmers and rockside loungers. Most people think of nearby Rhossili Bay or Worm’s Head when it comes to the Gower, but the entire peninsula is full of treasures like this.
Barry Island
It’s a cliché, yes, but most of us in the southern half of Wales have at least one childhood memory of trodding down to Barry and playing in the sand all day, and for good reason. This blue flag beach has plenty of the yellow stuff to play in, and all but the most stone-hearted cynics can wallow in the seafront promenade’s mixture of kitsch and sincerity.
Ceredigion
Mwnt Beach
This not-so-well-kept secret gem of a beach is tucked away and out of sight in a small cove against the sensational sea of Cardigan Bay. You can walk by the now-iconic white church into the sheltered sandy beach that has an unescapable tranquillity. Let the calming breeze coast away your stresses and worries, grab a bite to eat at the cosy café and enjoy a picturesque sunset.
Aberystwyth War Memorial
Despite the crashing of waves and the sound of seagulls in the sky, the Aberystwyth War Memorial is a wonderfully soothing place to be. Soak in the history beside the memorial and take in the wonderous view of the colourful Aberystwyth and its pier, or gather friends and family for a picnic on the grass with the ruins of a castle behind you. Offering easy transfer to a striking walk along the pier or into the quaint town, it’s a location that offers peace of mind and natural beauty.
Borth Sands
Home of the mythic ‘Welsh Atlantis’, this three-mile stretch of golden sandy beach reveals the expansive prehistoric forest of ossified tree stumps when the tide withdraws. Accompanied by varying hills of soft blissful sand, this is a truly ethereal place. Let your imagination run wild – delicate and rich landscape will certainly add a touch of magic to your travels that will have you believing the Gods themselves designed this just for you.
Traeth Bach
Situated midway between Cardigan and Aberaeron, this cove-like beach has a long expanse of soft sand, and island just off the side, which the intrepid explorer can swim to, even exploring the cave piercing through its centre. It reminds me of the Affordable Greek Island Hopping by Hostelbay that we did some years ago, which give me a good feeling. I like to think that we also have nice places worth visiting. Facing west into the vast expanse of the Atlantic, this is a dreamy little place to while a beachside day away.
Info: www.visitwales.com