Whitesands Bay

Whitesands Bay, or Porth Mawr in Welsh, is the beach most people picture when they think of St Davids. It’s a wide sweep of pale sand framed by rocky headlands, with Ramsey Island sitting just offshore, and it’s only a five-minute drive from Tŷ Cosy.

It’s a Blue Flag beach, and RNLI lifeguards patrol it in season, which makes it a popular spot for swimming, bodyboarding and surfing. If you’d rather stay dry, there’s a café and toilets above the beach, and plenty of room to spread out with a book.

For a walk with a view, follow the Pembrokeshire Coast Path north towards St Davids Head, or climb Carn Llidi, the rocky hill behind the beach. On a clear day the views out over Ramsey Island and the sea are something else.

The car park above the beach fills quickly in summer, and parking charges apply from March to October. In the summer months, the Celtic Coaster shuttle bus runs from the Oriel y Parc car park in St Davids, which saves the hassle. Arrive early on sunny days, or come in the evening when the crowds have gone and the sun sets over the sea. Then head back to the cottage for a rinse under the heated outdoor shower.

Photo: Llywelyn2000, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons