Marloes Sands

From the National Trust car park at Marloes village, a 15-minute footpath walk brings you down to the beach — there is no vehicle access beyond the car park. Parking is paid: up to 2 hours costs £4, up to 4 hours £6, and a full day £8; National Trust members park free. Charges apply from 1 March to 31 October, 9am–7pm, managed by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. The footpath is rough and the sand is soft — not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

The short crossing to Skomer Island, departing from Martin's Haven just 2.5km away, is one of the best wildlife experiences in Wales — the National Nature Reserve is famous for puffins, Manx shearwaters, and grey seals, and boat trips run from that small cove. Back on the mainland, the Dale Peninsula about 10km away is a sheltered sailing and watersports hub worth an afternoon. The beach itself rewards slow exploration: the Three Chimneys and the Silurian rock stacks are a geologist's playground, and the views across to Skomer from the sand are hard to beat.

The closest option is The Lobster Pot Inn in Marloes village, 1.4km from the beach — convenient for a post-walk meal. A short drive further, The Griffin at 3km has built a strong local reputation, and The Brook Inn at 4.8km is worth the extra distance. Bring your own food and water to the beach itself — there is nothing on site.

The Lobster Pot Inn doubles as a guesthouse right in Marloes village, 1.4km away, making it the most convenient base. Foxdale Guesthouse and Campsite at 1.5km and West Hook Farm Camping at 2.7km are good options if you want to wake up close to the coast. For something more distinctive, HPB St Brides Castle at 3.6km carries excellent reviews and puts you within easy reach of the beach.

Shoot the Three Chimneys at low tide in the early morning when the light rakes across the rock fins from the east and the golden sand is still wet and reflective. For Skomer Island views, position yourself at the western end of the beach in the late afternoon when the island sits in silhouette against the blue water.

No fires are permitted anywhere on the beach or surrounding National Trust land, and no vehicles may be driven beyond the car park — leave no trace applies strictly here. There is no lifeguard service and no facilities on the beach, so bring everything you need including water, food, and a fully charged phone. The rock stacks are slippery at low tide — wear shoes with grip if you plan to explore them. Critically, the incoming tide can cut off sections of the beach: check tide times before you go and keep a close eye on the water while you're down there.