Beaches

West Wales offers amazing coastline and stunning beaches. From secluded pebbly coves to long sweeping stretches of sand; there is something for everyone. This is just a small selection of the wonderful beaches within an easy drive of The Barn. Many of the beaches are dog friendly, but a few do have summer restrictions. We can advise you when you visit which are the best beaches to meet your needs.

Cefn Sidan, Pembrey (22 miles), with its wonderful clean water is described as one of Europe’s best beaches and is over 8 miles long. The beach is edged by sand dunes and provides panoramic views across Carmarthen Bay to the Gower and Carmarthenshire coastline. Even on the busiest days, if you are willing to walk a little way, you will find peace and quiet away from the crowds. The beach is within Pembrey Country Park making it the perfect location for a family day out. Attractions in the Park include a ski slope, toboggan run, miniature railway, ‘Go Ape’ centre, play areas, visitor centre, restaurant and cafe. There are nature trails, forest walks, and cycle routes. In order to access the Park and beach, there is an entrance fee for vehicles.
Dogs: there are over 6 miles of beach that is available for dog walking all year round. Dogs are also welcome in the extensive grassland and forest that adjoin the beach and in the majority of the Park. During the summer season however, dogs are banned from the middle section of the beach.

Pendine Sands (32 miles) is a 7 mile long beach on the shores of Carmarthen Bay. It stretches from Gilman Point in the west to Laugharne Sands in the east. The village of Pendine is situated near the western end of Pendine Sands where you will find cafes, fish and chip shops and some small shops selling souvenirs and the requisite buckets and spades. Motor enthusiasts will know that Pendine is famous for land speed record attempts and was where Malcolm Campbell and J.G. Parry-Thomas set the world land speed record five times between 1924 and 1927.
There is a car park near the beach and good toilet facilities.
Dogs are welcome on the beach all year round.

Ferryside (23 miles), so named because of the ferry that once operated across the estuary is a lovely seaside village. The beach is long, soft and sandy with views across the River Towy estuary towards Llansteffan Castle. There is a car park in the centre of the village less than 50 metres from the beach. Facilities in the village include toilets, pubs, cafes and a few shops. The River Towy Yacht Club based at the beach offers holiday membership and provides a slipway, changing, storage and bar facilities.
Dog friendly all year round.

Llansteffan (23 miles) is a lovely beach with a nice combination of soft sand to sit on and firmer sand for building castles! Parking and facilities are good with a car park adjacent to the beach with toilets, shop and a cafe. The beach is overlooked by Llansteffan Castle and a relaxing walk up to the ruins offers stunning views of Carmarthen Bay and the estuary. The salt marsh, woodland and grassland habitats provide evidence of the area’s industrial heritage. Swimming is considered dangerous and not allowed, however Llansteffan is a great place whether you want to paddle in the clean water or walk and explore the local area.
Dogs are not allowed on Llansteffan Beach between May and the end of September.

If you exhaust the Carmarthenshire beaches and wish to travel slightly further afield, there are many more stunning beaches to explore on both the North and South coasts.

Rhossili Bay on the Gower peninsula is a favourite with surfers and at low tides you can glimpse remains of shipwrecks including the Helvetia that ran aground in 1887. Tenby with its North, South, Castle and pretty Harbour beaches is around 40 miles away as is the bustling seaside village of Mumbles.