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Pembrokeshire Beaches

Pembrokeshire offers so many diverse and beautiful beaches; you will find yourself spoilt for choice. Swallow Tree Bay, a small cove, is just a short woodland walk away, while the main beach at Saundersfoot holds the prestigious European Blue Flag award for excellent water quality and is both lifeguarded and dog free during the summer months.

With over 50 beaches to choose from, Pembrokeshire offers everything you could need in a beach. Discover more of Pembrokeshire's stunning beaches by visiting the Visit Pembrokeshire Beach Guide.

Listed below are a few beaches we have hand picked as our favourites:

Swallow Tree Bay

As local as you can get, this beach is less than 100m from the Park, accessed by a well maintained footpath.  The beach itself offers a large sand beach through most of the tide, with Saundersfoot a ten minute stroll away. With plenty of rockpools and the comfort of being so close to your holiday unit, it makes for  an excellent day out for the family.

The Glen Beach

Situated between the Park and Saundersfoot, the Glen is accessed either on foot or by parking within a minutes’ walk. With easy access to Saundersfoot and with plenty of beach space and rockpools, this is a fantastic beach for children.  Timing it right as the tide comes in allows you a very special opportunity to have one of the coves for yourself with easy access off the beach back to the car park…simply stunning on a summer’s afternoon.

Saundersfoot

With stunning views from the top of St Brides Hill, you're overlooking the popular seaside village of Saundersfoot. Here, you'll find everything you need at hand for a fun filled day at the beach. A large, flat wide stretch of sand located by the side of the harbour and even whilst at high tide, you'll still find plenty of sand for some quality family beach time. It is worth noting that whilst this beach is dog friendly there are restrictions in place between May - September. Plenty of parking is available but be sure to download the Pay By Phone app for your convenience. 

Manorbier

This dog friendly beach, backed by cliffs and dunes, makes Manorbier very popular for walkers. Its location also makes it perfect for surfers but do be mindful of the very strong currents in these waters. At low tide, the rockpools are revealed for the exploration of little sea creatures. Rock collectors will also be in their element with the possible discovery of a few semiprecious stones. 

From here, you could even venture on to discover one of Pembrokeshire's hidden bays.

Tenby

A town of beaches to choose from, Tenby is Pembrokeshire's main tourist destination. Tenby's North beach is the busiest due to its popularity and ease of access. Beside is harbour beach and is Tenby's smallest beach where the Caldy Island boat trips depart from at high tide. Next along is Castle beach where one can walk across to St Catherine's Island at low tide but be mindful of the tides to ensure you don't become cut off. Tenby's South beach has the longest stretch of sand out of the four beaches. Running from St Catherine's Island to Penally, this beach has fewer tourists but still benefits from some required amenities. 

Penally

This quieter 2-mile stretch of sand, at low tide, is linked with Tenby South and Castle Beach. Follow the path from the car park which takes you across the train track and winds through the dunes and golf course to the beach. With beautiful views over Carmarthen Bay and Caldy Island, this sheltered location is the perfect place to relax and unwind. With the Pembrokeshire coastal path just beside, it is also popular for dog walkers all year round. 

Barafundle Bay

Barafundle has been voted many, many times as one of the best beaches in Britain and in the world. Although becoming more and more famous, this beach maintains its feeling of, well, ‘wowness’ – it’s always the first word you say when you see it! Access is from the National Trust car park at Stackpole Quay, a 30 minute drive away. The Quay itself is a lovely location with a superb café offering locally sourced food.  Access to the beach is on foot via a half-mile walk along the Coast Path, worth every step once you arrive at the main beach; soft sand, stunning views and a gentle sloping beach combine to make this one of the best beaches in the area. Top it all off with a meal at the superb Stackpole Inn and this will be a day to live long in the memory.

Swanlake Bay

Swanlake Bay is located in South Pembrokeshire and can only be found on foot off the Pembrokeshire National Coastal Path. The closest car park you will find is at Manorbier which also offers a sandy cove perfect for surfers. Although it will take effort as you embark on the coastal trek to Swanlake beach, it will be well worth the journey.

Mostly made up of shingle, whilst at low tide you will find a long stretch of golden sands. Look out for an abundance of birdlife and caves to explore. This isolated cove is perfect for those visitors seeking some solitude, you're likely to be the only ones there. It's best to take a picnic with you if you plan to spend the day on the beach. However, close to the car park, The Castle Inn at Manorbier offers real ales, lunches and evening meals. Beach Break Tea Rooms can also be found in this nearby village serving lunches, cakes and coffees.

Monkstone

There is a local maxim that you have to earn a good beach, and Monkstone is the perfect example of this. There is no vehicle access, and hiking in involves a little bit of effort with a ten minute walk and a steep path, which serves to put a great number of people off.  For those willing to make this effort, Monkstone rewards you with one of the best beaches in the area. Never crowded, the beach has a wild feel about it that children will love, and with a huge expanse of sand during most of the tide and what we would term ‘proper’ rockpools, there is nothing better than packing a ball, a net, some kindling and a frying pan and making the trek. With the day spent playing games on the beach and foraging, and the early evening cooking your finds using some of the plentiful driftwood, you will often find yourselves with a huge expanse of beach all to yourself and not an ice cream van in sight….if you want to feel connected to nature, this is the way to do it!

Freshwater West

A surfer needn't look further for the perfect wave. With strong rip currents, it's advised for the experienced surfer only but is the best place to spectate.
A rocky reef at one end and quiet little bays at the other, this wide sand and rock beach is backed by fragile dunes so no camp fires or BBQ's allowed please.
Popular amongst many a guests here, this Pembrokeshire beach has also featured in two films - Ridley Scott's Robin Hood and Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows. In this movie the beach provided the backdrop for Dobby's shell cottage and although the cottage was later taken down, Dobby's grave can still be found. A must see for all visitors!

5 STAR HOLIDAYS IN PEMBROKESHIRE

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Our family would love to welcome your family to SWALLOWTREE. Come and enjoy our unique location, superb indoor facilities and high-quality accommodation with delightful sea views. We look forward to seeing you soon.

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