Coney Beach

The beach at Porthcawl stretches wide and golden when the tide's out, and Coney Beach is where locals actually go rather than the main promenade. It's the quieter end of things, tucked away enough that you won't find it rammed with day-trippers even in summer.

What you get is a proper seaside beach - sand, rock pools when conditions allow, and enough space to actually spread out. The sea here can be choppy depending on weather and swell, so it's worth checking conditions if you're planning a swim rather than a paddle. Families find it decent enough for a few hours of mucking about; the rock pools keep kids occupied longer than you'd expect, though there's not much else by way of facilities right on the beach itself.

It's free to access, naturally. Allow a couple of hours if you're coming from Trecco Bay Holiday Park - just 0.7 miles away - which makes it an easy leg-stretch between park activities. The beach is best visited mid-morning before the crowds gather, and worth timing around low tide if rock pooling matters to you.

Honestly, Coney Beach works as a quiet alternative to busier spots along the Glamorgan coast rather than as a standalone destination. It's pleasant enough for a morning constitutional, but don't expect dramatic cliffs or a transformed landscape. Come here to decompress, not for drama.