Margam Sands

The stretch of sand at Margam is one of those Welsh beaches that sneaks up on you - less manicured than Porthcawl's seafront but all the better for it. You get a proper wide beach here when the tide's out, the kind where you can actually walk without treading on someone's windbreak, and the sand's firm enough that kids can cycle or push buggies without drama.

What makes it work is the backdrop. Margam Park sits inland, but you're looking at genuine countryside rather than amusement arcades. The dunes have wildflowers in summer, and there's a decent stretch of coastal path if you fancy stretching your legs beyond the sand itself. Fair warning: it can get blustery on the exposed bits, and on school holidays it does fill up. Off-season, though, it's genuinely peaceful.

Walkers and families with younger kids will get the most from it. Teenagers might find it a touch dull unless they're into exploring the tidal pools or attempting skimboarding. There's no lifeguards information readily available, so check locally before you go.

Trecco Bay Holiday Park sits just six miles up the coast, which makes Margam a solid addition to a park break in the area. Pop down here for a morning, work off some energy, then head back for lunch. It's not the most dramatic Welsh beach you'll visit, but it's the sort of place you'll actually use rather than photograph and move on from.