David James gives you the lowdown on the 10 best beach in Wales, from Barry Island, Bridgend, Pembrokeshire and the Gower, including mention of which ones are dog-friendly!
Rhossili, Gower Peninsula
No list of the best Welsh beach would be complete without mentioning Rhossili Beach. Located on the Gower Peninsula, this area was honoured as the UK’s first Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956. Hikers can enjoy a scenic stroll along the cliff tops, home to ponies and sheep, and venture out to Worms Head – a rugged promontory stretching into Rhossili Bay, and Gower’s most iconic feature. Its name, derived from the Viking term for ‘sea serpent’, adds to its mystique. A sunny day hike towards Worms Head promises an exhilarating adventure. I can highly recommend the Helvetia Hotel in Worms Head, or the King Arthur Hotel on the outskirts of the Gower.
Oxwich Bay, Gower Peninsula
A long stretch of golden sands and dunes, Oxwich Bay sees a plethora of visitors each year. It’s a real hotspot for dog walkers, as it allows dogs all year round, and it has public toilets at the far end – rare these days. It’s also been voted ‘most beautiful beach in Britain’ by The Travel Magazine and included in a Telegraph list of Great British Coastal Walks.
Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
An overlay of golden sands meets crystal blue waters: Barafundle Bay has entered the best beach in Wales discussion. Arguably the most popular beach in Pembrokeshire, and previously voted the best beach in Britain (it seems quite a lot of Welsh beaches have), one of its charms is the proximity to Stackpole Nature Reserve – a sight to behold in itself – from which you can walk to Barafundle Bay. A mere 15-minute walk from Stackpole Quay and you’ll arrive at this luscious, clifftop-enclosed amphitheatre of a beach. This small bay features sand dunes, pine trees and two limestone headlands, and is dog-friendly all year.
Freshwater West Beach, Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire’s beaches are the envy of Wales and Freshwater West is another in its armoury. Its expansive sandy shores are definitely worth a visit for their unique qualities, but even more so if you are a Potterhead: it’s where Harry Potter character Dobby the house elf was buried. Visitors can pay their respects at Dobby’s ‘grave’ on the beach, making it a must-visit for any fan of the series; Freshwater also served as the filming location for Shell Cottage in the Deathly Hallows movies. Freshwater West is dog-friendly all year.
Cefyn Sidan Beach, Burry Port
Whereas the majority of this list of Wales’ best beaches are more standard, Cefn Sidan Beach is located within the vast 500-acre expanse of Pembrey Country Park. It stands out for its extensive golden sandy shoreline and visible shipwrecks. With panoramic views across Carmarthen Bay towards the Gower, and home to over 300 shipwrecks, including the visible remains of the SS Paul, it offers a dramatic and historically rich environment for exploration. It was the first beach in Wales to receive the Blue Flag award and features over eight miles of sand, often likened to California’s Golden Coast.
Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot
Aberavon, one of Wales’ longest beaches, will host a fair this summer for the first time in many years. The beach offers soft golden sand and is divided into a main beach and a smaller one in front of the Mariners Point housing estate. It’s the meeting point that forms a strong community spirit, with swimming and walking groups, and it is a popular spot for surfers. Local highlights include La Memo coffee shop, where people gather outside to chat; Franco’s (a must-visit when at Aberavon Beach); and the always-busy Remos. Aberavon Beach prohibits dogs on the sand from 1 May until 30 September.
Dunraven Bay, Southerndown Beach, Bridgend
Similar to Rhossili, Southerndown Beach features enormous cliffs and panoramic views. Sheep wander the grasslands, adding to the natural charm. Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the presence of these animals. After your excursions, numerous country pubs are available to provide a cosy retreat. Like Port Talbot, dogs are banned from 1 May until 30 September. This Welsh beach is a great place to fossil hunt and has some of the best rock pools along the coast. It’s predominantly sandy, though the rocky areas are realised at high tide.
Whitmore Bay, Barry Island
It’s not just Uncle Bryn who enjoys the sandy dunes; the beach is rammed by people from far and wide when the sun comes out for that one week each summer! It is also home to arcades, a fairground, and colourful beach huts, making it an excellent day out. Whitmore Bay features a sweeping crescent of pristine golden sand bordered by a broad promenade. From 1 May to 30 September, dogs are banned from several beaches in the Vale Of Glamorgan, this one included.
Barmouth, Gwynedd
In Southern Snowdonia’s most popular seaside resort lies a beach which is quiet and pretty. I don’t know about you but there’s something incredibly special about beaches that have mountains nearby. There are sand dunes aplenty and small pools of water for children to play in. Like all beaches, it can get busy when the weather is hot but North Wales has other beaches in the vicinity should this be the case.
Abersoch Beach, Gwynedd
Full of lovely wooden huts, Abersoch beach is considered to be ‘safe’, with no severe currents or rips in normal conditions, and a motorboat exclusion zone provides a secure area for bathers. The beach is a renowned centre for sailing and watersports and the town hosts an annual summer regatta. Beach huts can be rented by the day or week; enquire at the beach cafes. There is a dog ban in force from 1 April until 30 September on the northern part of the beach from the jetty by the car park round to the river mouth – the rest of the beach is dog-friendly all year.
words DAVID JAMES
