'I visited one of the UK's best beaches with golden sand and crystal clear waters'
Often hailed as a 'jewel in the crown' Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire is a multi-award-winning beach.
Often hailed as a 'jewel in the crown' Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire is a multi-award-winning beach in an unspoilt location and it is easy to see why the place has captured people's hearts.
This year Barafundle Bay was voted the eighth best beach in the UK by TripAdvisor and in 2017 the Welsh beach was voted one of the best in the world by online travel magazine, Passport.
Despite the accolades, the beach has still retained its ‘hidden gem’ appeal though due to its seclusion and lack of accessibility.
Owned and managed by the National Trust, Barafundle Bay forms part of the South Pembrokeshire Heritage Coast and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
It is accessible only by the coastal path. After walking the pretty half-mile route from Stackpole Quay, visitors will stumble upon a rural beach, where small turquoise waves lap up against a crescent of sand.
Much of the land in this area forms part of the Stackpole Estate, and includes the nearby Bosherston Lily Ponds, a wildlife haven famous for its otters, wildfowl, and dragonflies.
There was barely a soul on the beach when I visited, despite it being a sunny Saturday. The laughter from people could be heard in the distance alongside the barking of happy dogs splashing through the calm waves.
Be sure to take everything you need with you as there are no facilities on site. Approximately half a mile from the beach at Stackpole Quay (National Trust car park) you will find a cafe and toilets.
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Just along the coast from Barafundle Bay is Broad Haven South which is another breathtaking sandy gold beach.
The beach sits next to the beautiful Boshertson Lily Ponds and is surrounded by rugged cliffs and beautiful blue waters.
When I was at the beach many people braved the cold water and took to swimming and kayaking.
I almost felt like I was in the Mediterranean as I strolled along the beach where the sands seemed to stretch for miles at a low tide.
To access this beach you can walk along the scenic route through the dunes that take you past lilly ponds or there is a car park on the clifftop with a steep path down.
The closest train station to both beaches is Lamphey, a 13-minute drive away.
