Morfa Beach

The stretch of sand at Morfa Beach runs long and fairly quiet, which is precisely why it's worth knowing about if you're staying anywhere near Porthcawl. There's a proper dune system backing the beach, and at low tide you get acres of firm sand that's actually good for walking rather than the soupy stuff you find on some Welsh beaches.

It's the kind of place where families with young kids do well because the water shelves gently and there's space to spread out without fighting for elbow room. Dog walkers absolutely love it here, especially out of season. The beach itself is free, obviously, and you can rock up whenever you fancy - no gates, no faffing about.

Worth allowing a couple of hours if you're combining it with Porthcawl proper, which sits just next door and has the usual seaside facilities. If you're based at Trecco Bay Holiday Park, Morfa is practically on your doorstep - five minutes' drive at most. Bit exposed when the wind picks up, mind, so time your visit for calmer days if you can. The dunes are interesting for a mooch about, but this isn't a destination in itself. Think of it as the sensible, less-crowded alternative to the main Porthcawl beaches when you want to actually enjoy yourself without stepping over someone's windbreak every two metres.