The 5 most beautiful beaches in Wales
Wales – famous for rugby, sheep and rain – may not be the first place you consider when you think of the most beautiful beaches in the UK. But the Welsh coastline is stunning. In fact, the only National Park in Britain that consists mostly of coastal landscapes (Pembrokeshire Coast National Park) is in Wales. That should give you a hint about the kind of raw and pristine nature you can expect. Below are what I consider the 5 most beautiful beaches in Wales
Rhossili
On the westernmost tip of the Gower Peninsula sits Rhossili Bay. Often appearing in lists of the UK’s and even the world’s best beaches, this is a great place to start. Walk along the cliffs to get a birds eye view of the entire bay. And look out for the serpent shaped ‘worm’s head’ rocks. Or head down the steep path to walk for miles across the soft sand. Keep an eye out for the shipwreck of Helvetia, visible at low tide.
Three Cliffs Bay
And another entry from the Gower. There’s little to prepare you for that first glimpse of Three Cliffs Beach from the top of the path. With its distinctive limestone cliffs wrapping around the bay and the jumble of dunes, salt marshes and river in the foreground, it’s a gorgeous spot. Once you’ve made your way to the beach, hope over the stepping stones and head up to Pennard Castle for another great view. Legend has it that the castle was destroyed in a sand storm, brought about by angry fairy folk. So if you meet any fairies, remember to tread carefully!
Barafundle Bay
The Pembrokeshire coastline is famous for its array of beautiful beaches. And highest on that list has got to be Barafundle Bay. It’s a stunning, secluded Welsh beach known for its golden sand, clear water, and natural beauty. On a beautiful day you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in the Caribbean! Access is a little tricky down to the beach, and parking can be found here on the Stackpole Estate.
Freshwater West
Another west coast beach! This one is famous for 2 things. Firstly, it’s a bit of a surfing mecca thanks to it’s constant powerful swells. Also, it’s a pilgrimage site for Harry Potter fans as it was the filming location of ‘Shell Cottage’ and ‘Dobby’s Grave’. In fact, if you head over the dunes you should be able to find a a fan-made memorial to the house elf. Over the years people have left various trinkets here, making it a cool spot for a photo.
Traeth Llanddwyn
Last but certainly not least, we have Traeth Llanddwyn in Angelesey. This is my favourite place in all of Wales. To get to the beach you walk through a peaceful woodland, before stepping onto the sand. You’ve got great views of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and the Llyn Peninsula. This means a unique combination of forest, mountains and sea. If that wasn’t enough, wait till low tide and head over to Llanddwyn Island to see its beautiful lighthouse. This was once a pilgrimage site to St. Dwynwen (like a Welsh St. Valentine) and it really does feel like the most romantic spot in Wales.
So there you have it. The 5 most beautiful beaches in Wales. If you think I’ve missed out on a particularly gorgeous beach let me know – I will have to check it out next time I’m in Wales. In the meantime, check out this blog post on the best beaches in Cornwall, or this one on 11 reasons to visit South Wales!
