While we were at Bluestones we took the opportunity to visit some of the local beaches as the weather was glorious and we wanted to make the most of it.
The ones we visited were:
Saundersfoot
We headed here on a bit of a whim Hubby had seen it and wanted to test it out. It is only a few miles from Bluestones and only took about 15/20 minutes by car. As you come into the village you get the option to head towards the South Beach or the North Beach. We decided to head North which feels like you are being taken away from the village and the beach. However you will see a sign for a large purpose built carpark a few hundred yards down the road. Its a pay and display carpark and has a cafe as well, although we didn’t visit it, instead heading straight down to the sea. There is a reasonable flight of steps which takes you right down onto the beach.
Where we were was unspoilt, it looks as though there might be more of a promenade towards the South area. However Monkey was more fascinated with the rocks that the receding tide had left behind. They were covered in barnacles and muscles with plenty of rock pools, Hubby set about finding razor clam shells straight away. We kicked ourselves that we had left the net at home! There were crabs and little fish as well as anemones and even a rather dead looking dog fish! We had only put an hour on the car because we had planned to go onto the Tenby and it went in a flash. Monkey had a lovely time climbing on the rocks and investigating the sea life. It would be a great spot for a picnic.
Tenby
From Saundersfoot we took the short drive to Tenby and parked in the town centre in the carpark which was the closest to the beach. Again it was a pay and display. It looked like a lovely little town and if we had, had more time then I would have loved to explore. Instead we headed straight to the beach.
There is a very steep cliff face with concrete steps and a hand rail, we managed with Monkey but if you had really young ones you would need to carry them and its not suitable for buggies. However once on the beach this is the view you are treated with when looking back. Its is very pretty and a vast beach! The tide was on its way out when we visited and left behind sand which was really soft and sunk away so it was fun leaving footprints behind. We took a walk along the shoreline to the fort.
Monkey had noticed a cave and wanted to explore. We weren’t really prepared with rugs, buckets and spades so couldn’t really build a castle so it seemed like a good option. He enjoyed running back and forth on the walk over.
To be honest it was nice to get out in the sun, and it was so warm we didn’t even need a coat, Hubby was walking around in a T- Shirt in October!! Once we got to the cave, Monkey had second thoughts and we had to convince him to pose for a photo. Might be something to do with the troll stories that Hubby had thought up on the way over!! There were a couple of other caves as well although smaller. The stones and shells found in the caves were a lot bigger that other parts of the beach. We found some shell pictures which really interested Monkey and he insisted we made our own. It was possible to climb up to the fort although we didn’t as Monkey was getting tired.
Of course we did have time to stop by a little cart selling ice cream, which we greatly deserved after the climb back up. Although Monkey did insist on having the ‘blue’ one! I will never like the bubblegum flavour!
Llantwit Major
On the day we left we decided to pay a visit to Llantwit which is on our way home and a village which I actually spent the first three and a bit years of my life living. I wanted to replicate a picture I have of my Father and me on the beach when I was a toddler, although Monkey is a bit older than that now!! The beach itself is about a mile away from where I use to live and down a single track road. There is a small carpark, toilets and a cafe.
Other than that there is a beach full of grey stones, its quite unlike any other beach I have ever visited. It does make access reasonably difficult, again it wouldn’t be any good with a buggy. Monkey was okay balancing although in places he needed our help. Its quite stunning really (although I am biased).
As the tide was out some sand was revealed although it was very wet so we couldn’t build anything! But Monkey had fun splashing about and digging in it with his wellies.
Many of the stones had green seaweed on them and soon a game of stepping stones broke out, especially as Hubby did not have wellies on and didn’t want wet feet! It was a nice trip down memory lane. I am not really sure if Monkey got that I lived there when I was his age, he is still trying to get his head round the fact that Nannie is my Mummy and Grandpa is my Daddy. A fact which is made harder by the fact that both my parents have remarried. But selfishly it was nice for me to relive some childhood steps.
Do you have a favourite beach?
66 Responses
It sounds stupid but I always forget that the UK has beaches. They look beautiful and like you had a lot of fun. I particularly like that you re created an old photo x
Love the colourful houses overlooking Tenby beach! They remind me of Balamory or something 😛 very scenic x
I love UK beaches….such stunning photos. Looks like great fun was had by all. #whatevertheweather
Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing ! ?
Lovely report of a family day out! The Llantwit Major beach with grey stones and the seaweed actually reminds me of a beach I visited in the North of France a few years back (in Brittany).
Such gorgeous photos – I love the beach although I don’t know this part of Wales as much as the north coast. When we were at Bluestone, we only had a few days so spent it all exploring the site. Would love to go back and discover more of Pembrokeshire. #whatevertheweather
The beaches in that part of the world are fab – like Cornwall but without the crowds! #whatevertheweather
I’ve been to Saundersfoot and Tenby beaches… But never Llantwit Major. My favourite of all? Three Cliffs on the Gower. 🙂
What beautiful beaches! We’d be taken with the rock pools at Saundersfoot too! You had beautiful weather!! Hope you had s great time at Bluestones #Whatevertheweather
These are really gorgeous pictures and what stunning beaches. We went to Tenby at the start of the year and it was amazing x
Wow! They are certainly stunning beaches! I love that you recreated a childhood photo of you and your dad, are you going to display the photos together so Monkey can see and compare them? I always forget nets when we go to the beach, I really need to remember, it looks like you had great fun without it anyway? The colourful buildings at the top of the cliffs make a fantastic photo, I wonder how quickly that area of the coast is eroded? Hopefully they’ll be there for a long time yet.
Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x
This is fantastic! What a beautiful beach & the weather sounds fab. It’s been lovely & warm here in Ireland this October as well. I love the photo of you & monkey on the rocks. Great to know there is a toilet there – my favorite beaches all have a toilet near by lol x
Well, I know I am biased because I have lived in Wales all my life, but we do indeed have some stunning beaches! My now-husband actually proposed to me at the beach in Saundersfoot. It’s one of our favourite places. How lovely that you got to go back to Llantwit to visit! Not too far from me here in Cardiff. I love the pebbly coast we have in the Vale of Glamorgan and down to Bridgend. It’s so dramatic and makes a lovely change compared to sandy ones. x
We visited tenby beach back in the summer and it is wonderful. Lovely sand, carpark right near by. We had such an amazing day there.
You really can’t beat day trips to the beach. I really want to go to Bluestone. It sounds really great and it’s good that there are beaches not too far away as well. It looks like he had so much fun digging, splashing and exploring. I must admit I’ll never like blue bubblegum flavour ice cream either. Yuck! Your photos are so beautiful I’m glad you had a really good holiday and got to explore some childhood memories too! Thank you so much for linking up to #whatevertheweather xx
It looks divine. We were at fornby beach this week. So gorgeous. People in t shirts, can you really believe it’s nearly November!
A lovely look at the welsh beaches, I will have to show my eldest who now has his heart set on Cardiff Uni next year, it will make his day to know there are some lovely beaches around too. Sounds like a lovely trip down memory lane for you and a gorgeous day for your beach expedition. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
wow – all of these beaches are simply stunning aren’t they?? We are so lucky to live in the UK – I think we have some of the best beaches in the world (who cares if it’s not always sunny – right??
Wales has some of the most stunning coastline. Lovely to see it done so much justice in your photographs!
Such lovely beaches. I don’t think I’ve ever visited any of them. Barmouth beach is absolutely stunning, lots of soft sand without stones and plenty of sand dunes at one end by the harbour #countrykids
Thank you, yes we do too when we aren’t actually on holiday which is silly really as they are great for day trips too! Must build them into our bucket lists for next year x
They were really beautiful, it would be lovely to stay in one and wake up to that view everyday! Xx
Thank you 🙂 it was great fun x
Ooo that’s cool will have to look it up if we are ever over that way xx
So would we think it might be on our list for another break next year X
They were amazingly quiet which selfishly is just how I like them! 🙂 xx
Ooo not heard of that one, will look it up next time we visit X
We had a fantastic time, hoping to schedule the post for next weekend xx
Aw thank you, we would like to go back and have a better look round cx
No but great idea! Will be giving it some thought! They are beautiful, we would love to stay in one and wake up to that view one morning! Thank you for hosting xx
Lovely photos! The beaches are so different from our beaches here in Yorkshire! I haven’t been to Wales even though it’s close(ish) and I am really keen to go in the Spring. I love the you recreated a childhood photo as well. #mondayescapes
Tenby is definitely one of the best beaches in Wales! The sand is just awesome! Thanks for sharing #MondayEscapes
Wow they are truly stunning. I never even thought that Wales would have such beautiful beaches 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
#LovelyThings
Gemma x
These beaches look amazing! We really want to go to Wales, hopefully we’ll go camping there next year so I love reading about such awesome places 🙂 #mondayescapes
The beaches look wonderful! I haven’t been to Wales yet but it looks interesting! #monday escapes
These are all gorgeous. I miss the sea! #MondayEscapes
I’ve been to the beach in Llandudno once and it was so pretty! Really want to go on a holiday in Wales again 🙂
Wow these all look brilliant! You have been busy. Lovely pictures. Becky x #lovelythings
Oh I love the beach, these all look beautiful – what fun to explore! Lovely pics. #LovelyThings
Wow these beaches look amazing, always feel kind of proud of the stunning coastline we have here in the UK. Especially when it’s not raining! X #lovelythings
We went to Tenby a few years ago, simply gorgeous, if not quite easily accessible. Really not good for our little one, but it was beautiful. Our favourite beach is Weymouth, if you haven’t been, I highly recommend it. It was the best family friendly beach we had ever been to, absolutely love it there!
Beautiful photos! It shows you really do not have to go abroad to experience stunning beaches. I have been dropping huge hints to visit Bluestone in Pembrokeshire to my husband for a while now… its not working, I may just have to book it myself! #MondayEscapes
Lol mine too especially now I am a parent! Xx
Aw how lovely what a lovely place to pop the question! Not far at all I was born in St David’s Hospital in Cardiff xx
If we were local then we would definitely go back! Cxx
Oh you really should it’s right up your blogs street! Aiming to try and write the post up for the weekend….thank you for your lovely comments and for hosting too xx
I have never heard of any of these beaches before but they look amazing. I like the rocks, cliffs and arches. There are so many lovely places in the UK.
Goodness me what stunning photos! It looks like you had an awesome time. We went to Tenby when we went to Bluestone too and the beach was as lovely as your pictures. Thanks for linking up to #lovelythings
I love beaches with rock pool and caves – they are so much fun to explore. We are really lucky your live close to the sea but I can’t say that our beaches are as beautiful or as interesting as the ones you visited in Wales. #MonfsyEscapes
It’s great really should make the best of the good weather while we can! Xx
Cardiff Uni I am sure he will have an amazing time! Best years of my life! Lol xx
Sometimes the best days are when its a little stormy and moody! Love a rough sea x
Thank you 🙂 x
Thanks for the recommendation will look that one up for future visits X
I know, me too. When I think beach trip, the UK doesn’t come to mind!
Lovely pictures, love the colorful houses in Tenby!
Happy days! 🙂 We were last in Tenby when my daughter was small and she’s in her 40’s now (sssh, don’t tell! 🙂 ). Our weather was pretty mixed but I do remember that glorious expanse of beach, and Saundersfoot just dimly. (I’m over on the north east coast where the beaches are pretty good too but the sea somewhat nippy)
Oh I love those coloured houses in your photo gorgeous! Beautiful beach pictures too, I can never get enough of them! Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix
Stevie x
I am originally from Swansea, South Wales, these photos bring back memories. Thanks for sharing.
Stunning photos, it looks like you had a great time exploring x #lovelythings
haha funny, as Laura I sometimes forget that the UK has beaches. But yes, I do know there are many of them, and actually very pretty like this one.
So sweet that Monkey is trying to understand that his grandparents are your parents haha.
I also had a beach where I spent my childhood in Brazil. I went there recently 😀
Lovely photos!
Thank you for linking up with #MondayEscapes
Thank you, it was very pretty x
Very brave to venture into the sea! Sound like great memories X