Patch Beach

The walk down to Patch Beach feels longer than it probably is, mostly because the coastal path gets properly steep near the end. Once you're there, though, you get a proper slice of Cardigan Bay without the crowds that hit the bigger beaches. It's a cove really - small, pebbly, with dramatic cliffs either side and rock pools that kids absolutely love poking about in when the tide's out.

The beach itself isn't one for sunbathing marathons. It's more a spot for an hour's wander, collecting shells and scrambling over rocks. The shale cliffs are genuinely interesting if you know anything about geology, and the whole scene feels properly remote despite being just outside Cardigan. On a calm day the water's sheltered enough for a swim, though the pebbles aren't the kindest on bare feet.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Cardigan Bay Holiday Park is barely a mile away, Gwbert Glamping closer still - this is worth adding to your itinerary. It pairs well with a morning at Teifi Estuary or an afternoon wandering Cardigan's riverside. Not a destination in itself, but exactly the sort of low-key beach stop that makes a Welsh coastal break feel properly restorative. Go early if you can; the light's better and you'll have it mostly to yourself.