Llanelli Beach

The stretch of sand and shale at Llanelli Beach unfolds towards Swansea with a proper working-class feel - no fairy lights or ice-cream vans trying too hard, just a solid Welsh beach that gets on with things. The tidal flats here are vast, which means you either get a brilliant expanse of sand to wander across or you time it wrong and find yourself squelching through mud. Either way, it's honest.

You can walk the promenade for miles if the mood takes you, or settle onto the beach itself and watch the industrial heritage of the area fade into the distance. The town of Llanelli sits right behind, so facilities aren't a problem - cafes and chip shops within easy reach, which matters when you've got restless kids. It's the sort of place families use regularly rather than visit once for Instagram. Walkers will appreciate how the coastal path connects to wider trails heading towards Pembrey Country Park, about five miles west.

Free to visit, obviously - it's a beach. Allow as little as an hour for a quick blast or a whole afternoon if you're the type to settle in. Summer's pleasant enough, but winter storms can make it dramatic; autumn winds tend to clear the crowds entirely, which some might prefer.

Staying nearby is straightforward. Gateway Resort and Shoreline Caravan Park sit just a few miles away, making it feasible as a base for exploring the wider coast. Worth the trip if you're in the area, though don't expect picture-postcard drama - this is real seaside, not theme park.