Pendine Sands

Three miles of flat, golden sand stretching along Carmarthenshire's coast - that's Pendine Sands, and it's the kind of beach that makes you understand why it became famous for something rather mad. Back in the 1920s and 30s, this is where racing drivers came to set land speed records. The sand was firm enough, the space vast enough, and the stakes high enough to make it worth the risk. Today you won't see Bluebird thundering down the shore, but the beach's character remains quietly impressive.

Walking here feels properly expansive. The sand is genuinely flat and walkable for miles, which means families with younger kids won't be struggling through soft dunes after ten minutes. At low tide the beach widens further, opening up stretches that feel almost untouched. The backdrop is modest - caravan parks and low cliffs rather than dramatic scenery - but there's something honest about that. You come here for the beach itself, not for Instagram drama.

It's free to access and works brilliantly as a base if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Parkdean Resorts Pendine Sands or Thorning Farm Glamping just up the road. Perfect for a morning walk before breakfast, or a sunset stretch when the light turns the sand copper-coloured. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're actually exploring rather than just having a quick look. Winter's quieter, but the wind can be bracing. Summer brings families, though rarely feels rammed. Carmarthen's only fifteen minutes inland if you need shops or lunch.