Brandy Cove

Rocky outcrops frame this secluded slice of Gower coastline where limestone cliffs drop dramatically into turquoise waters. Brandy Cove sits tucked between the more famous Three Cliffs Bay and Pobbles Bay, accessible only by a fairly steep coastal path that weeds out the casual daytrippers.

Walkers and wild swimmers will find their tribe here. The cove's sheltered position creates surprisingly calm conditions even when the main Gower beaches are getting battered by Atlantic swells. I've seen families with older kids (say 10-plus) manage the scramble down, but it's not pushchair territory by any stretch.

Timing matters. High tide all but disappears the narrow beach, leaving just the rocky platforms where you'll spot the odd climber tackling the limestone faces. Low tide reveals proper sand and rock pools that'll keep curious minds occupied for a good hour or two.

From holiday parks around Swansea like Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park or Nicholaston Farm, this makes a proper day out combined with the neighbouring bays. The coastal path connects all three, though you'll want decent walking boots and a bit of stamina. Worth packing a picnic - there's nothing commercial here, which is precisely the point.