Beaches in Pembrokeshire

The fact that Pembrokeshire is home to Britain's only national park (the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park) speaks volumes about this wonderful stretch of the southwest Wales coast. Stunning rugged cliffs are punctuated with picture postcard fishing villages and over 50 beaches.

Although this region of Wales is generally less busy in the summer than the north and south coasts it is, nevertheless, home to some established resort towns. Perhaps the best known of these is Tenby which sits on the sheltered western side of Carmarthen Bay. Tenby still draws a fair crowd over a hundred years since its Victorian / Edwardian heyday; and for the same reason - its 2.5 miles of fantastic sandy beaches. The town still retains plenty of charm and has plenty of interesting sights such as the castle and fort overlooking the main beach.

As you would expect, much of the 186 miles coast is wonderfully devoid of development. It is amongst this idyllic rural backdrop that some of Pembrokeshire's best beaches are to be found.

Acres of golden sand can be found at beaches such as the stunning Barafundle Bay, the surfer's paradise of Freshwater West and the rugged exposed expanse of Marloes Sands. For those looking for a little more in the way of amenities Whitesands is the perfect choice; still rural, but with all the facilities of a Blue Flag beach.

The Pembrokeshire coast is also a place for exploring, with any number of hidden, secret coves. Many of these, such as Presipe Bay and Cwm yr Eglwys all but disappear as the tide comes in, so you'll need to check the tides.

Given the unspoilt nature of Pembrokeshire it is little wonder the coast here is teeming with wildlife, both in and out of the water. Some of the best spots to see this flora and fauna are the islands such as Grassholm and Skomer. Here you will find puffins, shearwaters, choughs and hosts of other seabirds nesting on the cliffs. In the water there are seals a plenty and the keen-eyed (or lucky) may well spot dolphins or even the odd basking shark during the summer months.