Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire, is Wales’ beach of the year, as the Times and the Sunday Times reveal the UK’s 50 best beaches.

Famous for its seaweed drying hut and popular with surfers, the dune-backed beach near Castlemartin west of Pembroke provided a filming location for Robin Hood and the Harry Potter series.

Now Freshwater West has been named Wales’ beach of the year in the definitive and most comprehensive 16th edition of the annual best beaches guide, published online on July 15 and in print on July 21.

In his vivid description of Freshwater West, Chris Haslam, the award-winning chief travel writer at The Times and Sunday Times, writes:

“Freshwater West is a wilderness of dunes, sand and rocks that draws surfers from across the world to ride its winter waves.”

With Pembrokeshire’s Freshwater West rated Wales’ Best Beach of the Year, 10 of 50 best beaches on the list are in Wales, also including the local beaches of Manorbier and Pendine Sands.

Chris Haslam has personally visited and inspected all 50 beaches included in the guide in the past eight weeks. He has journeyed 5,583 miles and explored 543 beaches with his Jack Russell, Dave T Dog.

“The 50 beaches that made our list are graced with outstanding natural beauty, superb infrastructure, and a clear sense of pride from those who live, work, and play there,” he said. “I’m still in awe of the beauty of the UK coast. From Kynance to Caithness, and Brancaster to Benone, the beaches of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are the most magnificent on earth.”

The other seven in Wales are Llanddwyn in Anglesey; Porth Iago in Gwynedd; Penbryn and Mwnt, both in Ceredigion; Mewslade, Oxwich and Monknash, Vale of Glamorgan.

The guide showcases the unrivalled beauty of the UK seaside, evaluated through a rigorous 11-point inspection checklist. Criteria include water quality, cleanliness, accessibility, car-parking facilities, lifeguard presence, hygiene levels at restrooms and showers, and dog-friendliness. 

The 2024 guide only features beaches which are rated as “excellent” for water quality by the national environment agencies. As always, this guide covers only mainland beaches.