Welsh Beach Beats Cornwall
Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, South Wales, has been ranked fifth among Europe's best beaches — a stunning alternative to the more commonly cited Cornish beaches. The secluded escape is accessible only by foot, offering a tranquil environment for those seeking a quieter getaway.
The ranking comes from Time Out, which placed Barafundle Bay as the fifth-best beach in Europe, surpassing well-known spots in Italy, Greece, and Croatia. The magazine praised the beach for its "golden, unspoiled curve of sand" and "gleaming clear blue water," which are revealed after a half-mile walk through woodlands and down steep steps. This secluded spot was once the private beach of the Cawdor family of Stackpole Court. Now managed by the National Trust, it remains free of commercial development, meaning there are no shops or cafes, preserving its natural state. The stone wall and steps visitors use today were originally built to give the family easier access to their private retreat. Reaching the bay requires a half-mile walk from the Stackpole Quay car park along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. The path includes uneven terrain and a steep flight of stone steps leading down to the sand, making it unsuitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. This challenging access contributes to the beach often being quieter than more accessible coastal spots. The bay's dramatic landscape is a meeting point of geological formations. It marks the end of the Carboniferous Limestone cliffs of the Castlemartin Peninsula and the beginning of the Old Red Sandstone that stretches towards Stackpole Quay. These surrounding cliffs provide shelter, which keeps the water calm and ideal for swimming. While Cornwall is a popular UK beach destination, Pembrokeshire offers a significantly less crowded alternative. Pembrokeshire sees about six million visitors annually, a fraction of the more than 40 million who visit Cornwall and Devon. This trend is growing, with many travelers now seeking out less-crowded "Detour Destinations" like Pembrokeshire. Barafundle Bay is not the only acclaimed beach in the region. Pembrokeshire holds more Wales Coast Awards than any other county and boasts numerous Blue Flag beaches, including those in the popular town of Tenby. Further afield, Rhossili Bay on the Gower Peninsula is also frequently ranked among the UK's top beaches.
