Welsh paradise
No roads in, no convenient cafés, no seaside stores – few Welsh beaches can compete with the isolated nature of beautiful Barafundle Bay on the southern coast of Pembrokeshire, says Drew Buckley
Barafundle, Pembrokeshire
Pristine, remote and quiet are probably the best words to describe Barafundle Bay – a broad-crescent beach only accessible by foot through woodland and grassy dunes along a short trail from Stackpole Quay.
The first thing you see as you approach the bay is the iconic stone wall and picturesque archway framing the view to the beach. On clear days, it’s possible to spot Lundy Island off the Devon coast to the south. Head through the arch and down the stony steps, and soon your feet will land on a gentle slope of golden sand, lapped by the crystal-clear turquoise sea.
Without any facilities, the bay is pretty isolated compared to the rest of Pembrokeshire’s beaches, which is a good thing as sometimes you’ll be the only one on it. No wonder Barafundle has been voted time after time as one of the best beaches in Britain, and even the world.