Aberavon Beach, located just nine miles to the east of Swansea in South Wales, is a 3-mile long and very wide sandy stretch popular with families, walkers, and surfers alike. With a long promenade and breathtaking views across Swansea Bay, it’s a fantastic spot for a day out by the sea. The beach is ideal for swimming, kite flying, and beach games, while the nearby skate park and adventure playground make it a hit with younger visitors.

The seafront is lined with cafes, fish and chip shops, and restaurants, offering plenty of options for refreshments. With ample parking, accessible paths, and regular events throughout the summer, Aberavon Beach is a welcoming and vibrant destination. Whether you're enjoying an ice cream in the sun or taking a bracing winter walk, the beach offers a refreshing coastal escape all year round.

Dogs are not allowed on the main stretch of beach from May to September.

Parking at Aberavon Beach -
There are several parking options right along the seafront, including Scarlet Avenue, Ocean Way, Bay View, and Victoria Road, which are all £4 for the day.

Facilities -
Aberavon beach has public toilets, as well as a variety of cafes and restaurants.

Rhossili Bay is one of South Wales’s most iconic beaches, celebrated for its sweeping three-mile stretch of golden sand and dramatic views across the Gower Peninsula. Popular with walkers, surfers and families, it offers stunning scenery and plenty of space to relax or explore. Highlights include the walk out to Worm’s Head at low tide and the cliff-top paths that showcase some of the finest coastal views in the UK.

Rhossili Bay beach is dog friendly all year round.

Parking at Rhossili Bay -
Visitors arriving by car will find a large National Trust car park at the top of the cliffs, offering convenient access to the beach (around 400 metres). Parking here is free for National Trust members, with charges applying for non-members.

Facilities -
There are public toilets at the National Trust car park, and several places in the village to get food.  Don't miss "The View" cafe, bar, and kitchen, with incredible views across the bay.

Saundersfoot Beach is a broad, sandy beach set beside the lively harbour village of Saundersfoot on the Pembrokeshire coast. Sheltered by surrounding headlands, the beach offers sweeping views across Carmarthen Bay and provides a welcoming seaside setting for visitors throughout the year.

At low tide, the beach reveals wide stretches of golden sand that are ideal for walking, paddling and family activities. The nearby harbour, cafés and shops add to the relaxed coastal atmosphere, making Saundersfoot Beach a popular destination for both traditional seaside days and scenic coastal strolls.

Parking at Saundersfoot Beach -
There is a large pay & display car park right by the beach, as well as more parking at Regency Hall which is around 300 metres from the beach.  In peak summer weeks there is also parking available at the Saundersfoot Sports & Social club which is around 450 metres from the beach.

Facilities -
Saundersfoot beach has shops, cafes, restaurants, and toilet facilities all in close proximity.

Nash Point, on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, is a dramatic cliff-top location known for its rugged beauty and sweeping views across the Bristol Channel. The site is home to a historic lighthouse, once manned and now automated, which adds to its character and charm. The surrounding cliffs and beaches make it a popular destination for walkers, photographers and nature lovers exploring the South Wales coastline.

The area is part of a designated Heritage Coast, offering coastal trails that link to other scenic spots nearby. Rock pools, exposed geology and seabird habitats provide plenty of interest along the shore, while the open spaces are perfect for picnics or simply enjoying the sea air. With its combination of striking landscapes, maritime history and peaceful atmosphere, Nash Point is a memorable stop for anyone visiting the Vale of Glamorgan.

As well as the clifftop walk and lighthouse, you can walk down to the pebble beach which is a great spot for children to enjoy playing by the sea, popular for fossil hunting, rock pooling, and playing by the small stream.

Dogs are allowed on Nash Point Beach all year round.

Parking at Nash Point -
Parking is available at Nash Point, and costs £5 for the day, but note that the gate to the field is locked at 17:30.

Facilities -
During summer months there's a cafe at the car park with a toilet available for customers.

Rest Bay in Porthcawl, South Wales, is a stunning Blue Flag beach known for its golden sands, clean waters, and excellent surfing conditions. Popular with families, walkers, and water sports enthusiasts, it offers a wide stretch of coastline perfect for sunbathing, beach games, or simply enjoying the sea breeze. With lifeguards on duty during peak times and great facilities nearby, it's a safe and welcoming spot for visitors of all ages.

The beach is backed by a scenic promenade and coastal path, making it ideal for walking or cycling with panoramic views across the Bristol Channel. The nearby Rest Bay Watersports Centre offers equipment hire, lessons, café, and toilets, providing everything you need for a fun day out. Whether you're riding the waves or relaxing on the sand, Rest Bay delivers a classic South Wales seaside experience.

Dogs are not allowed on the beach from May to September.

Parking at Rest Bay -
There is a large pay & display car park above Rest Bay - during the summer months it is £4 per day, and in off-peak months only £1 for the day.

Facilities -
There is a watersports centre with cafe, restaurant, and public toilets, located by the car park.

Barry Island Beach, located at Whitmore Bay, is one of South Wales' most iconic seaside destinations, known for its wide, sweeping curve of golden sand and traditional charm. Framed by a sheltered bay and a lively promenade, the beach offers a classic British coastal experience, ideal for families, couples, and day-trippers alike. Whether you're looking to relax in a deckchair, enjoy an ice cream by the shore, or watch your children paddling in the shallows, Barry Island Beach has timeless appeal. The clean sands and Blue Flag status ensure a safe, welcoming environment, while the gentle tides make it perfect for swimming or a barefoot walk along the water’s edge.

Beyond the beach, Whitmore Bay is home to a host of attractions that bring added fun and vibrancy to any visit. The promenade is lined with amusements, cafés, and kiosks selling everything from fish & chips to souvenirs. Just a short walk away, the landscaped gardens and climbing trails of Friars Point offer panoramic views of the coast, ideal for a peaceful break from the bustle. During summer months, the area often hosts festivals, performances, and open-air events, adding to its festive atmosphere. Barry Island Beach at Whitmore Bay is more than just a place to sunbathe - it's a lively, welcoming spot that captures the spirit of a traditional Welsh seaside holiday.

Parking at Barry Island Beach -
There are two main car parks for Barry Island beach - one at Harbour Road (CF62 5TR) and another at Nell's Point (CF62 5AQ), offering hundreds of spaces with daily and hourly options, from roughly £1 to £6.

Rest Bay in Porthcawl, South Wales, is a stunning Blue Flag beach known for its golden sands, clean waters, and excellent surfing conditions. Popular with families, walkers, and water sports enthusiasts, it offers a wide stretch of coastline perfect for sunbathing, beach games, or simply enjoying the sea breeze. With lifeguards on duty during peak times and great facilities nearby, it's a safe and welcoming spot for visitors of all ages.

The beach is backed by a scenic promenade and coastal path, making it ideal for walking or cycling with panoramic views across the Bristol Channel. The nearby Rest Bay Watersports Centre offers equipment hire, lessons, café, and toilets, providing everything you need for a fun day out. Whether you're riding the waves or relaxing on the sand, Rest Bay delivers a classic South Wales seaside experience.

Dogs are not allowed on the beach from May to September.

Parking at Rest Bay - There is a large pay & display car park above Rest Bay - during the summer months it is £4 per day, and in off-peak months only £1 for the day.

Facilities - There is a watersports centre with cafe, restaurant, and public toilets, located by the car park.

Saundersfoot Beach is a broad, sandy beach set beside the lively harbour village of Saundersfoot on the Pembrokeshire coast. Sheltered by surrounding headlands, the beach offers sweeping views across Carmarthen Bay and provides a welcoming seaside setting for visitors throughout the year.

At low tide, the beach reveals wide stretches of golden sand that are ideal for walking, paddling and family activities. The nearby harbour, cafés and shops add to the relaxed coastal atmosphere, making Saundersfoot Beach a popular destination for both traditional seaside days and scenic coastal strolls.

Parking at Saundersfoot Beach -
There is a large pay & display car park right by the beach, as well as more parking at Regency Hall which is around 300 metres from the beach.  In peak summer weeks there is also parking available at the Saundersfoot Sports & Social club which is around 450 metres from the beach.

Facilities -
Saundersfoot beach has shops, cafes, restaurants, and toilet facilities all in close proximity.

Dunraven Bay, often known as Southerndown, is a dramatic stretch of coastline along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, known for its rugged cliffs, rock formations and wide views across the Bristol Channel. Framed by limestone cliffs and historic ruins, the bay is one of the most striking coastal landscapes in South Wales.

The beach at Dunraven Bay reveals a mix of sand, pebbles and fascinating rock platforms at low tide, making it a popular spot for walking, photography and rock pooling. Overlooking the bay are the atmospheric remains of Dunraven Castle, adding a sense of history to the already impressive scenery.

Dogs are not allowed on the beach from May to September.

Parking for Dunraven Bay -
There is a large car park, which costs £5 for the day.

Facilities -
There is an ice cream shop and toilets

Three Cliffs Bay is one of the most photographed coastal landscapes in Wales, known for its dramatic limestone cliffs, sweeping sandy beach and winding river estuary. Located on the Gower Peninsula, the bay forms part of the UK’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers striking views in every direction.

Three Cliffs Bay Beach itself is a wide stretch of golden sand framed by the distinctive trio of limestone peaks that give the bay its name. At low tide, the beach expands dramatically, revealing sandbanks, rock pools and the meandering Pennard Pill stream, creating an ever changing coastal scene popular with walkers, photographers and nature lovers.

Dogs are allowed at Three Cliffs Bay Beach all year round.

Parking at Three Cliffs Bay -
The bay is split into two by Pennard Pill, which flows down through the valley into the sea. The eastern side is home of the iconic Three Cliffs, Pennard Castle, Pennard Golf Club, and the smaller Pobbles Bay.  Across on the western side is where you'll find the main beach area and Three Cliffs Holiday Park.  You can cross between the two sides by stepping stones close to the beach (however these are covered at high tide) or via a wooden footbridge near Parkmill.

You have three main options to choose for parking, so bear the above in mind where choosing to park, as well as checking the tide times.  Make sure you bring some cash as a few of the parking options are honesty boxes at times.

Parkmill - there are three car parks here: Shepherds Cafe, or the car park just opposite, both of which are £3 for the day, or park at Gower Heritage Centre for £5.  From here it is around 2km to walk to the beach (around 25 minutes).

Penmaen - limited free parking is available near St John the Baptist church, which is around a 1km walk to the beach, or you can park at Three Cliffs Holiday Park which is a little closer.

Southgate National Trust Car Park - ideal for National Trust members as parking is free, otherwise £8 for the day.  This car park also has a cafe and toilets, and is around 1.6km walk to the beach.

Facilities -
There are no facilities at the beach, so this may affect where you decide to park.  The closest toilets are at Three Cliffs Holiday Park, which is around 400 metres away, or if you're in need of snacks & drinks the closest options are at Parkmill or Pennard, depending on where you’ve walked from.