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Beaches in Mid Wales

Beaches in Mid Wales | Cardigan Bay and the Ceredigion Coast

The best beaches in Mid Wales

Mid Wales has some of the finest beaches in Britain, stretching from the wide sands of Barmouth in Southern Eryri (Southern Snowdonia) to the sheltered coves of the Ceredigion coast. Summer is when they come into their own, but even in spring and autumn you will often have long stretches of sand almost to yourself.

Barmouth

Barmouth has the big beach. A wide sweep of sand backed by dunes, with the Mawddach estuary on one side and Cardigan Bay on the other. It is the classic family beach: flat, sandy, shallow enough for paddling, with the town close by for ice cream and fish and chips. The beach has a Blue Flag award and lifeguard cover in summer. Walk south across the famous railway bridge for views up the estuary to Cader Idris.

Aberdyfi

Aberdyfi sits at the mouth of the Dyfi estuary in Southern Eryri. The beach is wide and sheltered, popular with families and sailors. The village itself has colourful houses along the waterfront, a sailing club, cafes and a championship golf course. It is quieter than Barmouth and feels like a well-kept secret.

Aberystwyth

Two beaches flank the Aberystwyth promenade, with the Victorian pier and Constitution Hill between them. North Beach is pebbly but dramatic, backed by the cliff railway. South Beach is sandier and better for families. The town is right there for shops, restaurants and the National Library. The seafront promenade is a proper old-fashioned seaside walk.

New Quay

New Quay is the place to combine beach time with dolphin watching. The harbour beach is sheltered and sandy, with clear water and bottlenose dolphins regularly spotted from the shore. Traeth Gwyn (New Quay beach) is a longer stretch south of the harbour. Dylan Thomas lived here and based Under Milk Wood on the town.

Llangrannog

Llangrannog is a small cove village on the Ceredigion coast. The beach sits between headlands, with rock pools at low tide and good surfing when the swell picks up. The Ceredigion Coast Path runs through the village, and the National Trust look after the headland walks. Ynys Lochtyn, the small headland south of the beach, is one of the most photographed spots on the Welsh coast.

Borth

Borth is a long village on a long beach. Three miles of sand and shingle, exposed to the Atlantic and popular with surfers. At very low tide, the stumps of a prehistoric submerged forest emerge from the sand, around 4,500 years old. Borth is also the gateway to the Dyfi National Nature Reserve and the RSPB Ynys-hir reserve.

Aberporth

Aberporth has two beaches divided by a headland. Both are sandy, sheltered and family-friendly, with rock pools and good swimming. The village is small and uncommercial, and the dolphin-watching from the headland between the beaches is excellent.

Practical information

Most Mid Wales beaches have free parking nearby, though some charge in peak summer. Lifeguard cover operates at Barmouth and Aberystwyth from late May to September. Dogs are restricted on some beaches in summer; check local signs. The Wales Coast Path connects most of these beaches if you fancy walking between them. Accommodation along the coast fills up fast in July and August, so book ahead if you want a sea view.

Number of results: 1025

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Dyffryn Ardudwy Burial Chamber (Cadw)

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd, LL44 2EW

Telephone
0300 025 6000

cadw@gov.wales

Gwynedd

Neolithic tomb comprising two chambers of different phases, originally covered by a stone cairn.
Abergwesyn Pass | Scenic Drive

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells - Tregaron, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Llanwrtyd Wells

The Abergwesyn Pass from Llanwrtyd Wells is a 20 mile single track route that runs through an almost brutally wild landscape of Abergwesyn Common moors, escarpment, pine forest and scurrying streams
Hafren Forest (NRW)

Address

Hafren Forest (NRW), Rhydybenwch Car Park, Old Hall, Near Llanidloes, SY18 6PT

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Old Hall, Near Llanidloes

Choice of walking trails along the River Severn which flows through Hafren Forest. Trails go to waterfalls and the source of the Severn on Pumlumon. Riverside accessible trail with viewing platform over cascades. Picnic area and toilets.
Crickhowell Blue -Crickhowell Loop Route

Address

Crug Hywel | Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1AA

Telephone
01874 623366

mountain.centre@breconbeacons.org

Powys

Start Crickhowell Car Park GR219 183
Turn R out of CP and down to main road. Turn L and take first L off main road. SO for 2km and turn R onto path between hedges. Follow path then SO over bridge and up to road junction. Turn L then R up steep…
Brecon Gaer Roman Fort (Cadw)

Address

Aberyscir, Brecon, Powys, LD3 9NT

Telephone
0300 025 6000

cadw@gov.wales

Brecon

Fort built about AD 75 near the River Usk. Remains consist of the perimeter wall, corner turrets and gateways.
Burfa Bog Nature Reserve

Address

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2SH

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Powys

A low-lying reserve with Knobley brook running through the wet grassland. Butterflies and flowers are abundant in the spring and summer months.
Cei Newydd | New Quay

Address

New Quay, Ceredigion, SA46 0JP

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

New Quay

A visit to New Quay is all about sandy beaches that extend in an arc around the bay, the harbour where boat trips will take you dolphin spotting in Cardigan Bay, and the great Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas enjoyed a few pints in the local.
Rail & Trail Adventures

Address

Vale of Rheidol Railway, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY231PG

Telephone
01970 625819

info@vor.wales

Aberystwyth

Dates

From:
19 July 2026Open 10:30 - 16:45
From:
15 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 16:45
From:
19 Sept 2026Open 10:30 - 16:45
From:
17 Oct 2026Open 10:30 - 16:45

Enjoy a 12 mile scenic steam journey on the railway before embarking on a guided walk through the breathtaking landscapes surrounding Devil's Bridge.
Bala & Penllyn | Scenic Drives

Address

Bala & Penllyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7AD

Bala

Explore Bala & Penllyn by road using the free Trail leaflets, which you can download. Each Trail has fascinating local history information, picnic locations, walks, refreshments and toilets.
www.GoBala.org
Harlech Railway Station

Address

Ffordd Morfa, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2UL

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Harlech

Harlech railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
Llanymynech Rocks Nature Reserve

Address

Underhill Lane, Pant, SY22 6HD

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Pant

Straddling the border between England and Wales, the reserve lies at the southern end of the carboniferous limestone outcrop that stretches from Anglesey and the Great Orme at Llandudno.
Llanbedr Pont Steffan | Lampeter

Address

Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 7AA

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Lampeter

The market town of Lampeter in the Teifi Valley - home of the oldest University in Wales, surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Tref farchnad Llambed yn Nyffryn Teifi, cartref y Brifysgol hynaf yng Nghymru, yng nghanol cefn gwlad hyfryd.
Gogerddan Wood (NRW)

Address

Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3ED

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Aberystwyth

Just three miles from Aberystwyth, Gogerddan is an easy-to-find woodland with a small picnic site. The woodland is carpeted with bluebells in spring. The short walking trail is signposted from the car park.
Coed y Brenin | Walking Trails (NRW)

Address

Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre (NRW), Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2HZ

Telephone
01341 440747

coedybrenin@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Dolgellau

Three walking trails are waymarked and start from Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre car park.
More walking trails start from our other car parks within Coed y Brenin Forest Park.
Walking Newtown

Address

Various Walking Trails, Y Drenewydd | Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BB

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Y Drenewydd | Newtown

Walking Newtown have developed a series of walks in and around the Newtown area. The walks are all graded and vary from easy to strenuous, town trails, short strolls and accessible trails.
Hafren Forest | Walking Trails (NRW)

Address

Hafren Forest (NRW), Rhyd-y-benwch car park, Old Hall, Near Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6PT

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Old Hall, Near Llanidloes

Choice of walking trails along the River Severn which flows through Hafren Forest. Trails go to waterfalls and the source of the Severn on Pumlumon. Riverside accessible trail with viewing platform over cascades. Picnic area and toilets.
The Big Tribute Festival

Address

Cefn Melindwr, Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3LS

boxoffice@thebigtribute.co.uk

Aberystwyth

Dates

From:

28 Aug 2026to30 Aug 2026

The Big Tribute Festival is THE unmissable family event of the summer – be part of it in Aberystwyth this August!
Circular Machynlleth via Tal-y-llyn | Scenic Drive

Address

Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
01654 702653

info@mwtcymru.co.uk

Machynlleth

This 35 mile circular route takes you on the A487 from Machynlleth via Corris towards Dolgellau and before turning off on the B4405 to Tywyn via the picturesque Talyllyn lake at the foot of Cadair Idris. Return to Machynlleth via Aberdyfi.
Glyndwr's Way | Llanwddyn - Welshpool

Address

Mid Wales, Powys, SY21 7DD

Telephone
01597 827562

helen.tatchell@powys.gov.uk

A 132 mile National Trail set in the heart of Mid Wales breathtaking countryside, dedicated to the 15th Century Welsh Prince Owain Glyndwr
Llanwrtyd Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Llanwrtyd Wells, LD5 4RW

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Llanwrtyd Wells

Llanwrtyd railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line that runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.