Cei Bach Beach

A steep path tumbles down to a proper little cove that most visitors to New Quay completely miss. Cei Bach is the sort of beach you find by accident - or because a local tips you off - and it rewards the effort. The walk down takes about five minutes if you're reasonably fit, though the return journey feels considerably longer when your legs are tired and the gradient bites back.

The beach itself is small and sheltered, with golden sand that slopes gently into the water. On a calm day it's lovely for a swim; on rougher days it becomes a proper photographers' spot, with waves working against the rocky outcrops. There's something about the quietness of it that makes the effort feel worthwhile - you won't find the crowds here that plague the bigger beaches further along the Ceredigion coast.

Families with older kids will enjoy the scramble down, though littler ones might struggle with the uneven path. Swimmers should check conditions first - there's no lifeguard, and the cove can get choppy quickly. It's free to visit, naturally, and there's nowhere to buy food or drink nearby, so bring what you need.

If you're staying at one of the caravan parks clustered around New Quay - Haven Quay West is barely half a mile away - this makes a decent morning or late-afternoon outing rather than a full day's commitment. It works best as part of a broader wander around the New Quay coastline rather than a destination in itself. Go when the light is good and the tide is on your side.