Llangrannog Beach

Rock pools dot the sandy shoreline here like natural aquariums, keeping children entertained for hours while parents soak up views of Cardigan Bay. This west-facing beach catches spectacular sunsets, though the walk down from the clifftop car park is properly steep - your calves will remind you on the way back up.

Families with young ones will find plenty to explore when the tide retreats, revealing a treasure trove of crabs and anemones among the rocks. The sand is decent for castle-building, though it can get busy during school holidays when the limited parking fills up quickly.

Surfers rate this spot highly when the swell's up, particularly in winter when you'll have it largely to yourself. The waves break well over the rocky reef, though it's not a beginner's beach by any stretch.

From nearby parks like Greenfields Holiday Park or Woodland Hideaway Park, it's an easy drive through the Ceredigion countryside - though Llandysul makes a better base for supplies since the village itself is tiny. The coastal path runs right past if you fancy extending your visit into a proper hike along this dramatic stretch of Welsh coastline.