Pwllgwaelod

Pwllgwaelod is the western of the two beaches that bookend Dinas Island — which is not an island but a bulging headland cut off from the mainland by a flat green valley. The cove is small, sandy at low water, and sheltered by the headland from most winds, which makes it a reliable swimming spot when the open north coast is unusable. There's a car park at the back, toilets, and a pub-restaurant right by the beach.

The walk is the reason most people come. A level, well-surfaced path runs through the valley from Pwllgwaelod to Cwm-yr-Eglwys on the other side in about fifteen minutes each way — pushchair-friendly, and one of the very few genuinely easy walks on this coast. The alternative is the Coast Path over the top of Dinas Head, a proper climb to around 140 metres with enormous views along the coast to Strumble and out over Cardigan Bay. Doing the head one way and the valley back is the classic circuit, about two hours at an easy pace.

Time it round the tide if you want sand: at high water the beach is mostly shingle and there's not much room. Seals are seen along the headland cliffs, and porpoises turn up in the bay often enough to be worth watching for. It's a good bad-weather option too — you can park, walk the valley, and eat without ever being far from shelter.