Porth Neigwl

The beach curves for nearly two miles along the Llŷn Peninsula, backed by proper sand dunes and accessible from the village of Llanaelhaearn. The sand itself is firm and wide, the kind that doesn't disappear at high tide, and the water's sheltered enough that it doesn't have the Atlantic's worst moods. You'll find rock pools to the east and a gentler gradient if you're bringing small kids. The car park sits just above the beach - no long walks required, which makes it popular with families.

Porth Neigwl works best for a solid three or four hours if you're actually making a day of it rather than a quick dip. Pack a picnic because there's not much in the way of facilities once you're down there. Summer weekends fill up fast, so arrive early or go midweek. The beach has a quiet appeal rather than the kind of fuss you'd get at Colwyn Bay - that's its strength and its limitation depending on what you want.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby parks - Treheli Farm is closest at under two miles - this makes a natural half-day trip between visits to Pwllheli town itself and walks into the wider Llŷn countryside. The dunes themselves are worth exploring if the weather's decent. It's not dramatic scenery, but it's exactly what a Welsh beach holiday should be: accessible, uncrowded, and good for switching off.