Castle Beach

The clue's in the name, but Castle Beach still catches you off guard. There's an actual castle ruin perched on the rocky headland here - Haverfordwest's medieval stronghold looming over the sand and shale below. It's dramatic stuff, the kind of backdrop that makes you understand why people bothered building fortifications in this particular corner of Pembrokeshire.

The beach itself is modest, more of a cove really, with a decent stretch of sand at low tide and rock pools worth exploring if the kids are into that sort of thing. The castle walls are accessible from the town side, so you can wander the ruins before heading down to the shore. On a clear day the views along the coast are proper lovely, though the beach gets fairly exposed when the wind picks up from the west.

History enthusiasts will get the most from a visit here - the castle dates back to the 11th century and tells a story about Norman ambition in Wales. Families with younger children might find an hour's play on the sand enough before heading back. The rock pools keep older kids occupied longer.

Point Farm Campsite sits just 0.3 miles away, making this an easy morning stroll from your tent or caravan. Beachside Glamping Dale is only 1.3 miles further, so if you're based at either, Castle Beach is a no-brainer addition to your itinerary. The walk into Haverfordwest itself takes about twenty minutes if you fancy a bit more exploring.