Sker Beach

The walk down to Sker Beach takes you through proper wild coastline - gorse and marram grass giving way to a long, moody stretch of sand backed by crumbling cliffs. It's not the sort of beach you'd find in a holiday brochure, which is exactly why it's worth the trip from Porthcawl.

The sand itself is firm and wide when the tide's out, and you can walk for miles without seeing much of anything except the occasional dog walker or surfer. The ruins of Sker House sit inland - an old manor with a ghostly reputation, though the beach itself is the real draw. Photographers love it for that raw, untamed feel; families with young kids might find it a bit bleak unless they're properly into exploring.

There's no facilities on the beach itself, so bring everything you need. The car park is small and can fill up on decent weather weekends. Summer's obvious, but autumn light here is genuinely stunning - golden and moody without the crowds.

If you're staying at Trecco Bay Holiday Park nearby, Sker is an easy drive and works well as a morning expedition before hitting the amusement park or heading to Porthcawl's seafront. It's the kind of place that separates people who want manicured seaside from those who actually want to feel like they've gone somewhere. Not for everyone, but if you're after something wilder than the usual South Wales beach spots, this delivers.