A Welsh beach with a tropical twist
Located in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Barafundle Bay Beach is often considered a highlight of the country’s beaches. Surrounded by nature, this sheltered spot is surrounded by limestone cliffs, sand dunes, greenery, and wildflowers in spring and summertime. The pristine sands and turquoise water might surprise you, as they’re reminiscent of more tropical destinations.
In terms of getting to the bay, the nearest parking lot is found at Stackpole Quay (postcode: SA71 5LS) where parking costs around $7.30 for the day or $3.65 for three hours. From there, this dog-friendly beach is around half a mile along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path — or, for those coming from Broad Haven South, just under two-and-a-half miles. So, it does require a bit of planning in terms of packing for the beach and then carrying everything.
Also, once there, there are no facilities of any kind. So, it’s important to remember the essentials, such as water, a hat, and sunscreen, and perhaps pack up a picnic. Fortunately, back at Stackpole Quay, there are bathrooms and a popular café, called The Boathouse. Also, in the nearby village of Stackpole, there is a much-loved pub, The Stackpole Inn, previously named by The Guardian as one of the top 10 in Pembrokeshire. So, while the beach itself is a little sequestered, the area is by no means off the grid.
The wonders of the wider area
Owned by the National Trust, an organization committed to heritage conservation, Barafundle Bay Beach is part of the wider Stackpole Estate — a Grade 1-listed historic landscape — and this is well worth exploring too. Offering several walking trails, it is also home to the wildlife haven of Bosherston Lily Ponds where otters, wildfowl, and dragonflies reside. In addition, there is a historic six-acre walled garden, managed by Pembrokeshire Mencap, with its own tea room.
It’s also worth noting that there is a second stunning beach on the estate. Larger and much easier to get to, Broad Haven South is a golden sandy beach that is less secluded than Barafundle but arguably just as beautiful. While the Broad Haven South car park has a steep path that is unsuitable for wheelchairs, the car park in Bosherston leads to the beach along a one-mile boardwalk through the picturesque lily ponds. So, in terms of accessibility, this is definitely the easiest of the two options, and you can still bring your dogs.
When you also factor in some of the lovely places to stay in the area — and the National Trust has a handy list of some of the best of these — it all adds up to a very enticing proposition. So, next time you are considering a beach break in the UK, it could well be worth looking beyond the more obvious locations. Certainly, for beauty and seclusion, this stretch of the Welsh coastline is hard to beat.
