23 of Wales’ stunning and secluded beaches to avoid the crowds
When the sun is shining, it sometimes feels like everyone is heading to the same beaches. But if you want to venture out for a day on the beach, you can escape the crowds AND go somewhere totally awesome. If you’re prepared to walk a bit with your picnic
1. Monk nash, Llantwit Major This beach is proof that you don’t need to go abroad as it’s completely gorgeous.
To get to the beach itself you have to follow a gorgeous tree-lined windy path along a small ravine and stream, look out for the old mill on your right as you descend.
The beach itself is mostly stony, fully of grey pebbles that look like dinosaur eggs, to your left there’s a small mossy waterfall and cliffs that stretch up and up forever.
This is a great place to walk dogs and children. Take a picnic and enjoy a day soaking up the sun. It’s a whole lot less busy than some of the other beaches in the area, but it also doesn’t have any of the facilities that other have to offer. The nearest toilets and watering hole are in the nearby pub, The Plough and Harrow, which is a great place for a seaside drink. 2. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire The beach itself – recently voted one of the world’s best – is only accessible by walking half a mile from the nearest car park and is right next to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, if you’re looking for a scenic walk.
Walking will be a big theme here, even if you’re planning to lounge on the sand, and there some great walks over and along the rocky cliffs.
There are also toilets and a cafe in the car park. 3. Tor Bay, Gower To get to Tor Bay you’ll need to walk along a cliff-top path, but once there, you’ll find a sandy, sheltered beach. There is no lifeguard service though so be very careful.
The beach is large and sandy and shaped like a horseshoe. It stands on the eastern end of Oxwich Bay. 4. Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire You can only get to this secluded beach on foot – and it’s worth the effort.
A short walk through countryside, followed by a walk along the cliff top and you’ll arrive at the beach, which is truly beautiful. 5. Traeth Llyfn, Abereiddi Traeth Llyfn is a secluded bay on Pembrokeshire’s rocky north-west coast and you can get there by coast path from Abereiddi or Porthgain, and down a long set of metal and concrete steps – 133 in total!
It’s a pretty rocky and sandy beach but there is loads of room for ball games and flying a kite as well as rock pools to explore.
If you’re planning a visit check out the tide times as you don’t want to get caught by an incoming tide. 6. Porth Iago, Rhydlios, Llyn Peninsula It’s a small picturesque bay on the northern coast of the Llyn Peninsula and the beach is medium sand backed by a grassy bank.
The pay and display car park is just above the beach and you have to reach it via a track through Ty Mawr farm then you get to the steep, sandy path.
Dogs are allowed but you need to keep them in the car until you’ve passed through the farm.
It’s a very sheltered beach so it’s really good for sunbathing and swimming. 7. Swanlake Bay, Pembrokeshire The shingle beach is only accessible from the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path so is the perfect getaway if you need some time and space just to take in the lush surroundings.
It is a shingle beach but at low tide it reveals golden sands and rock pools, backed by low cliffs. Even at the height of summer you could be one of only a handful of visitors. 8. Rotherslade, Gower This small and sandy stretch of beach has been awarded both Blue Flag and Seaside Awards and is nestled around the corner from Mumbles. Barafundle
There is no car parking available but it’s just a short walk from Langland Bay.
Dogs are not allowed during MaySeptember but it’s a perfect for a spot of sunbathing or a picnic. There is no lifeguard on the beach. 9. Pwll Du, Gower It’s pretty and pebbly but it sits at the bottom of a valley so it’s certainly one for the more adventurous as access is limited to three footpaths.
There is no car park, loos or refreshments so you’ll need to take a picnic if you want to spend some time there. 10. Brandy Cove, Caswell Bay It’s only accessible via the cliff path at Caswell Bay and it’s very secluded – but when you see the stunning scenery you won’t want to leave.
Take your own picnic as there are no refreshments nearby. 11. Church Doors Cove, Pembrokeshire It’s small and remote but one of the most spectacular beaches in Pembrokeshire, thanks to the amazing cliff shapes carved by the sea
It’s not for the inactive though. There are 140 steps down from the clifftop – and, of course, you have to get back up. 12. Priory Beach, Caldey Island Situated on the tiny monastic Caldey Island, you’ll never see this sandy beach jam-packed. Monks have lived on the island off the Pembrokeshire coast since the 6th century, and today a community of Cistercians inhabit Caldey.
You can catch a boat to Caldey Island between Easter and the end of October from Monday to Friday, and on Saturdays during June, July and August. The island is closed on Sunday. 13. Penally Beach, Tenby Penally beach is situated at the other end of the South Beach, Tenby, and is much quieter and less busy than the main Tenby beach.
It doesn’t have lots of facilities but there is a car park and disabled toilets.
It has a seaside beach award, is great for swimming and angling and dogs are always welcome. 14. Coppett Hall Beach, Tenby This sandy beach is just four miles from Tenby (with access to Saundersfoot village) and at low tide has a large expanse of sand which is great for playing ball games.
This is a slightly quieter beach than the main Saundersfoot beach and is good for bathing, canoeing, sailing and angling. 15. Penbryn, Ceredigion One of Ceredigion’s best-kept secrets, this beautifully secluded sandy cove lies down leafy lanes
lined with flower-covered banks.
Penbryn is owned by the National Trust. The beach is almost a mile in length.
There is a car park on Llanborth Farm as you arrive, some 400 metres from the beach. The walk down to the beach is either on the lane, or follow the footpath signs from the back of the car park (behind the café) which takes you into a beautiful wooded valley, full of wood anenomes in the spring.
16. Porthor, Llyn Peninsula
With its famous ‘Whistling Sands’ and glistening waters this secluded gem is without doubt one of the most beautiful on the Llyn Peninsula.
There is a car park (with loos) and a beachside cafe and shop but dogs aren’t allowed from April 1 to September 30.
17. Porth Ceiriad, Llyn Peninsula
Discover an idyllic sandy beach in Llyn. Porth Ceiriad is a pot of Welsh gold, popular with walkers, surfers and geologists alike and is a fantastic place to escape the crowds.
South facing and very sheltered, it’s a good beach for sunbathing and popular for most water sports, especially surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking and sailing. Surf conditions at Porth Ceiriad can be excellent and are best around mid to high tide.
Dogs are allowed all year round and the beach can be accessed from the Wales Coast Path.
18. Blue Pool Bay, Gower
Blue Pool Bay is one of Gower’s most charming bays.
There are no roads or lanes leading to this beach and its location and very sheltered position at the base of u-shaped cliffs is such that only those who know about its existence, and are not afraid of a good walk, ever frequent the clean sands here.
It is not a beach that is usually just stumbled upon and the average tourist will usually settle for the larger, more easily accessed neighbouring beach of Broughton.
For that reason, Blue Pool Bay is also one of Gower’s quieter bays.
19. Traeth Yr Ora, Anglesey
Traeth yr Ora is undoubtedly one of Wales’ best beaches.
It consists of coarse sand and shingle, backed by bracken covered banks and looks out toward the island of Ynys Dulas with its tower (built as a refuge for shipwrecked sailors).
The nearest parking is at Traeth Lligwy, about a mile away, so the beach is usually very quiet.
20. Jackson’s Bay, Vale of Glamorgan
Jackson’s Bay is a small sheltered beach situated to the east of Whitmore Bay (Barry Island).
It can be reached by a footpath around Nell’s Point or alternatively down a tarmac footpath from Redbrink Crescent.
Barry Island rail station is about half a mile away and there are (seasonal) toilets. Dogs are allowed at all times.
21. Crawley Beach, Gower
A small, secluded, sandy beach accessible via a footpath or through woods. It’s best for visitors looking for privacy, and dog walkers. Dogs are allowed all year.
22. Silver Bay, Anglesey
Silver Bay is a beautiful, remote beach facing south into Cymyran Bay.
The beach is wide and sandy with rocky outcrops to clamber over and plenty of opportunities for rock pooling.
There is no direct vehicular access to the beach and visitors should park at neighbouring Borth Wen beach and use the spectacular Anglesey/ Wales Coast Path to reach Silver Bay beach.
23. Wallog, Cardigan Bay
It’s a remote beach between Aberystwyth and Borth in Cardigan Bay.
As well as coarse sand and shingle, you’ll find Sarn Cynfelin – a glacial moraine which stretches miles out to see.
Wallog beach, which has an abundance of wildlife including seals, can be accessed by a public footpath.