Broad Haven Beach

The sweep of golden sand at Broad Haven curves away in both directions like someone's drawn a perfect arc across the Pembrokeshire coastline. It's a proper family beach - wide enough that you won't feel hemmed in even on a decent day, with rock pools to explore at low tide and enough space to actually breathe without tripping over someone's windbreak.

The beach itself is free and accessible year-round, though the best time to visit is either early summer when the school holidays haven't started or late September when the water's actually warm enough for a swim without your toes going numb. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you've got kids - the rock pools alone will keep them occupied while you actually get a coffee in peace.

It's about ten minutes' drive from Haverfordwest, which makes it convenient without feeling touristy in the way some of the bigger Pembrokeshire beaches do. The nearby holiday parks - Broad Haven Holiday Park is practically on the doorstep at half a mile - mean you can base yourself here for a proper week without needing to go anywhere else. Little Haven Campsite and South Cockett are both within easy striking distance too.

The cliffs backing the beach are worth a walk along the coastal path if you've got the legs for it. The views across the bay are genuinely good, and on clear days you can see right across to the Preseli hills inland. It's the kind of beach that works whether you want to do absolutely nothing or ramble for miles.