Beaches and Harbours in South Wales
From the major cities of the south coast to the UK’s only coastal national park, South Wales has plenty to offer any sea-lover.
Newport
Newport has a number of beaches, ideal for different activities. Parrog beach is great for rock pools at low tide, whilst Newport’s ‘sands’ beach is a beautiful stretch of sand hugged by sand dunes with shallow bathing.
With a car park, toilets, disabled access with beach wheelchairs and dog friendly, Newport is a fantastic destination for a family day out.
Fancy a longer stay? We recommend staying at Llys Meddyg; a remodelled Georgian townhouse with an enviable reputation for its seasonal Pembrokeshire menus – a relaxing fertile ground, hidden from the hustle and bustle.
Penarth
The beach at Penarth is mostly pebbles, but towards the sea, it becomes increasingly sandy, with plenty of exposed sand at low tide. Due to the proximity of various river estuaries, there are strong currents and the water is often a murky brown, so swimming is not advised. However, the beach is popular for walking and fossil-finding, as well as fishing.
Penarth beach is backed by an esplanade, with parking spaces, restaurants, toilets and an attractive-looking pier. The pier underwent a multi-million-pound restoration project in recent years and is now home to a small cinema theatre and thriving cafe.
To explore Penarth for yourself, we recommend staying at Holm House; a boutique hotel and spa with an eclectic personality sat on ‘Millionaires’ row’ alongside other upstanding, grand houses.
Saundersfoot
Saundersfoot beach is small but very popular with all the facilities you might need. A wide. Flat, sandy beach at low tide, but still plenty of space at high tide. There’s also a pretty harbour to peruse!
Bear in mind that this beach has dog restrictions, so it’s best to do some research beforehand.
If you fancy a seaside stay, we recommend St Brides Spa Hotel; a modern and sophisticated hotel with a state-of-the-art spa and fantastic food, perched on a headland above the harbour, overlooking the sea. Dreamy, right?