Clarach Beach

The beach at Clarach sits just north of Aberystwyth, tucked into a bay that catches the afternoon sun rather better than you'd expect on this stretch of coast. It's a proper working beach - backed by a small caravan park, lined with weathered beach huts, the sort of place where families have returned for decades in their battered Volkswagens.

What you get is a decent arc of sand and shingle with reasonable shelter from the northern winds, thanks to the headland. The cliffs behind aren't dramatic - nothing like Barmouth or Cardigan Bay's more showy stretches - but they're pleasant enough for a walk. Low tide opens up more sand; high tide pushes you back against the huts. The water's cold year-round, as you'd expect, though it warms enough for paddling in July and August if you're hardy.

This works best for families who want something low-key without the circus of a bigger resort. Aberystwyth's only twenty minutes' drive south if you need ice cream or amusement arcades. Walkers will find decent coastal paths both directions, particularly north towards Ynyslas. Kids will get a solid afternoon out of it - rock pools, space to run, a chip shop nearby - but it's not a all-day destination unless you're genuinely keen on sitting in a deckchair.

Stay at Clarach Bay Holiday Village or Aber Bay Holiday Park and you're literally on the doorstep. The drive from Cambrian Coast Holiday Park or Silver Fern Glamping takes under ten minutes. It's the sort of beach you visit because you're staying locally, rather than drive specially for, but that's rather the point.