Nolton Haven

Nolton Haven is a short break in the cliffs where a stream reaches the sea, with a car park more or less on the beach and a scatter of buildings behind. That combination — no steps, no long walk, sand thirty seconds from the boot of the car — makes it disproportionately useful if you're travelling with small children, a picnic, or anyone who doesn't fancy the scramble at Druidston.

The cove itself is modest: sand and shingle between rocky arms, opening out at low water. Rockpools on both sides, decent bodyboarding when there's swell in the bay, and shelter from anything with north in it. Swimming is unguarded and the currents work harder than the size of the cove suggests once you're out past the headlands, so keep it close in unless you know the spot. There's a pub and a campsite behind the beach and not a great deal else, which is broadly the appeal.

It's also a good jumping-off point for the Coast Path, which climbs steeply out of the valley in both directions — south along the cliffs towards Druidston and Broad Haven, north past the old coal workings towards Newgale. This stretch of coast was mined for anthracite well into the last century, and you can still spot the remains of the industry in the cliffs if you know what to look for. Combine a couple of hours on the sand with the walk south and you've had a proper day.