Y Wig

The sand here is proper golden, and the bay curves away in both directions with a gentleness that takes the edge off the North Wales wind. Y Wig is a small beach just outside Pwllheli, the kind of spot locals know well and visitors often miss, which frankly is the appeal. You get a decent stretch of beach for families who want to build castles without fighting crowds, and the water's calm enough for paddling when the weather plays ball.

There's not much infrastructure - no cafes or deckchair rentals - so you'll want to bring supplies. Low tide reveals rock pools worth a proper poke around, good entertainment for kids aged five to ten. A one-hour visit covers it comfortably, though you could easily stretch to two if the sun's out and you've got a picnic sorted. The walk from the car area is straightforward, nothing steep.

It slots nicely into a Llyn Peninsula holiday. Glampio Coed Glamping sits just three miles up the road if you want to camp with style, while Treheli Farm offers a more traditional setup nearby. Even Tyn Ddol, a mile or so further, works as a base for exploring this stretch. Y Wig won't blow your mind - it's not dramatic or Instagram-famous - but that's precisely why it works. It's a proper beach for doing actual beach things, without the circus.