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Wales is well-known as a nature lover’s paradise, with its striking mountain scenery, lush valleys and great places to hike and camp. With almost 1,700 miles of coastline, Wales is also a brilliant place to visit if you love trips to the beach. These beaches near Cardiff are under an hour away and perfect for short coastal walks and weekends away.
Best beaches near Wales for a family day out
Family trips to the beach are where some of the best memories are made. As someone who spent a lot of time at the beach as a kid, I know there’s something extra special about time spent splashing in the sea, charging about on the sand and exploring beachfront attractions. These beaches near Cardiff are perfect for summer holidays, long weekends and even day trips to the coast.
1. Cardiff Bay, Cardiff
- Distance from Cardiff: 2 miles (10 minutes)
Located a handy 10-minute drive from Cardiff city centre, Cardiff Bay is Cardiff’s closest beach and contributes to the city’s reputation as one of the best seaside towns in the UK. This Cardiff beach is next to the famous Giant Wheel, which offers panoramic views of Cardiff Marina and has classic seaside fairground rides and plenty of places to buy summery refreshments.
During the summer holidays, a man-made beach is created alongside the attractions, where you can spend an afternoon with your little ones playing in the sand. There’s also a great accessible walk along the Landsea Gardens viewing area and boat trips are available from the Marina. Parking can be tricky, so this is a great spot to walk to if you’re not based far away.
2. Whitmore Bay Beach, Barry Island
- Distance from Cardiff: 9 miles (35 minutes)
Barry, located around a 35-minute drive or a 40-minute train journey from Cardiff, is home to Whitmore Bay Beach in Barry Island – one of the best South Wales beaches for a family day out. Once a thriving Edwardian holiday destination, Barry Island has lost none of its classic charm.
The sweeping sandy shore is great for picnics and sandcastle competitions, while the vintage leisure arcade and seafront rides are a lot of fun for kids and adults of all ages.
The esplanade also has a lengthy outdoor climbing wall, and a lifeguard service operates throughout the summer, meaning it’s a safe place to swim. Parking is available near both ends of the beach, but spaces may be tight during the busy summer months.
3. Coney Beach, Porthcawl
- Distance from Cardiff: 30 miles (40 minutes)
Just a 40-minute drive from Cardiff, Coney Beach in Porthcawl offers gorgeous white sands, a seafront pleasure arcade and award-winning ice cream parlours. The convenient location just off the M4 also makes this destination one of the best UK holidays for families who want a short break close to home.
You’ll find plenty of great hotels and guesthouses in Porthcawl near the seafront, and the town has lots of nice places to eat. Coney Beach also has paid parking near the beach and good public transport links from Cardiff.
Nice beaches near Cardiff for walking
Wales is the hiking capital in the UK and has some incredible coastal walks. As someone who’s done plenty of walking trips around the Welsh countryside, I can’t recommend it enough if you love getting out and about in nature and finding truly remote locations off the beaten track. You’ll find tons of beaches near Cardiff that are ideal for long walks, short strolls or for simply enjoying a seaside vacation.
4. Penarth Beach, Glamorgan
- Distance from Cardiff: 4 miles (10 minutes)
Penarth Beach is located just outside of Cardiff, just over a 10-minute drive or a 20-minute train ride from the city. Stroll along the pebbled shore, explore the vintage Art Deco pier or go for a relaxing jog along the esplanade. Penarth Beach has gorgeous views of the Severn Estuary and plenty of nice places to grab an ice cream, a bag of chips or a coffee.
The beach is also popular with fossil hunters and is a well-known fishing spot. You can find parking at the south end of the esplanade, around a 50-minute walk from the Pavilion, or use roadside parking spaces. Accessible toilets are available on the seafront and the pier also has a range of interesting attractions, including a cinema and several cafes.
5. Sker Beach, Porthcawl
- Distance from Cardiff: 30 miles (40 minutes)
Sker Beach is one of those unique beauty spots that you’ll want to keep coming back to. With sprawling sandy bays and stark dunes, Sker Beach feels like a true escape from civilisation, despite only being a 40-minute drive from Cardiff along the M4. It’s worth noting that Sker Beach isn’t directly accessible and can only be reached by walking along the coast through the Kenfig National Nature Reserve.
The bay is one of the best dog-friendly beaches near Cardiff and is close to Pink Bay Beach, which is one of the best beaches in Wales to see local wildlife. Pink Bay Beach gets its name from the unique pink marbling visible in the rocks.
There are no public transport links from Cardiff to Sker Beach, so it’s a great one to visit if you love a road trip or if you’re hiring a car. The beach’s remote location also means there are no on-site toilets at either Sker Beach or at Pink Bay.
6. Splott Beach, Cardiff
- Distance from Cardiff: 2 miles (6 minutes)
Splott Beach is a unique little bay situated around a six-minute drive from Cardiff city centre. While not exactly scenic with white sands, this beach has its own industrial charm and is a great spot for a quick walk after work and offers some nice lookouts across the Severn Estuary.
The easiest way to get to Splott Beach is to park near Moorland Park and walk via Portmanmoor Road and Ocean Way. It’s a great location to visit if you’re into photography and offers brilliant opportunities to take some moody shots when the weather is right. It’s also great if you just want a quick escape from the bustle of the city.
Best beaches near Cardiff for surfing
As well as gorgeous scenery and charming seaside resorts, some of the beaches near Cardiff have a stellar reputation for surfing. If you’re looking for the best beaches in the UK to catch some waves, these beaches near Cardiff should be on your list.
7. Rest Bay, Porthcawl
- Distance from Cardiff: 27 miles (50 minutes)
Not far from Coney Beach in Porthcawl, Rest Bay is this beach’s slightly wilder cousin. With a good mix of rocky pools and sandy vistas, Rest Bay is a scenic spot for a walk and a popular choice for surfers. Take surf lessons at the water sports centre overlooking the beach or buy your gear from the nearby surf shop. You can also try out kayaking or simply enjoy a swim.
Throughout the summer, a lifeguard service operates at the beach between 10 am and 6 pm, making it a safe spot to spend time in the water. You can also enjoy a stroll along the Porthcawl promenade, which has a wealth of places to eat and drink and connects Rest Bay with Coney Beach. Rest Bay is situated around a 50-minute drive from Cardiff and can be reached on the bus in around two hours with one changeover at Bridgend.
8. Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot
- Distance from Cardiff: 40 miles (45 minutes)
Located near Port Talbot and not far from Swansea, Aberavon Beach is well-known among surfers for having big swells when the weather conditions are right.
This sandy beach curves around the west coast overlooking Swansea Bay and has picturesque views and ideal conditions for swimming and other water sports, with lifeguards on duty throughout the summer months. The scenic promenade leads to Port Talbot beach and offers a wealth of classic seaside attractions, including kids’ play areas and a skate park
Toilets are accessible from the beach and there is ample parking. You’ll also find plenty of places to eat or grab a drink along the seafront.
The best dog-friendly beaches near Cardiff
Navigating around dog-free beaches can be tough, especially during the summer, when many coastal spots have dog bans in place. If your pets love the sea and sand, there are plenty of beaches near Cardiff that you can visit with your dogs. These shoreside locations in Wales offer some of the best beaches near Cardiff for a fun-packed trip with your furry friends.
9. Jackson’s Bay, Barry Island
- Distance from Cardiff: 7 miles (30 minutes)
Located on Barry Island, Jackson’s Bay is close to Whitmore Bay Beach but is quieter and doesn’t place restrictions on visitors with dogs. This is a favourite dog-walking spot for locals and offers a spacious sandy bay that dogs can race around on.
Just be aware that the path down to the shore is quite steep, so it’s not the most accessible beach for anyone with mobility problems. You can also access the beach via the Clements Colley Walk coastal trail, which connects with the scenic lookout from Nell’s Point.
Jackson’s Bay is one of the easiest beaches to reach if you’re travelling by train with a dog, as it’s just a 50-minute journey from Cardiff with no changes. You can also drive to Jackson’s Bay in around 30 minutes from the city.
10. Ogmore-by-Sea, Vale of Glamorgan
- Distance from Cardiff: 25 miles (35 minutes)
Another gem on Wales’s Glamorgan Heritage Coast, Ogmore-by-Sea is a dog-friendly beach and has a nice remote feel. Drivers can get to Ogmore-by-Sea in around 35 minutes, while public transport takes around an hour.
Once at Ogmore, you’ll have access to coastal trails, including the path to Ogmore Castle, the Iron Age Hillfort and Dunraven Castle – just be aware if you do walk your dogs near Dunraven Castle, they’re not allowed on the beach at Dunraven Bay.
Ogmore-by-Sea has toilets on-site and a car park that’s just a short walk away. You’ll also find pubs and places to eat in the nearby villages and in the town at Ogmore-by-Sea. The bay also has a large number of rockpools that kids will love to splash in and are popular with fossil hunters.
Conclusion
Whether you love bustling seaside towns or exploring remote bays, Cardiff is an excellent jumping off point for exploring much of the Welsh coastline. Beach holidays in Wales are great options for cheap holiday destinations or for long weekend breaks when you want to get out of the city but don’t have a lot time to spare. You’ll also find some of the best of Britain’s National Parks in Wales.
The post The best beaches near Cardiff for coastal trips (all within an hour away) appeared first on KAYAK Blog UK.
