Best of Beaches - Barafundle Bay / Barafundle Bay Beach

The award winning Barafundle Bay has won a number of awards through the years and was included in the top 12 beaches in the world in 2004. In 2006, The Good Holiday Guide voted in Best Beach in Britain and in the 2019 Wales Coast Awards, it was awarded both the Seaside and Green Coast awards.

Barafundle Beach, is located between the cliffs near Bosherston and Stackpole, and is known as a jewel in the crown of Pembrokeshire. It has beautiful golden sand and the bluest waters. Behind are sand dunes and trees, it is a truly spectacular setting that many people have compared to the Med.

The beach faces East and is well sheltered from the wind that we recognise as a feature of the coast. This makes Barafundle Bay an ideal hideaway spot which is extremely popular with walkers, tourists and families who love to spend the day.

Things to do

• perfect for sunbathing

• photo opportunities a plenty - Make sure to take one at the top of the steps, halfway down and whilst you're on the beach.

• Picnics are a must as it is a long trek or grab food from the café on the way over. Please remember to take all your rubbish with you!

• Stackpole Quay is popular for watersports and is a great area to set off from in kayaks - paddle around Barafundle Bay or explore the surrounding cliffs and inlets.

Facilities at Barafundle Bay

Nearest parking is at the National Trust car park at Stackpole Quay just a ten-minute walk along the headland. Car park charges are £5 per day between March and October but is free to park here after 5.30 pm for those who fancy an evening wander.

There is a lovely tea room alongside the car park - The Boathouse Tea Room offering light lunches, cakes and refreshments. Enjoy a delicious homemade scone with cream and jam or pick up ice cream on a hot sunny day when you need cooling down. This is also where you will find the public toilets There are no loos at Barafundle Bay so please bear this in mind.

Accessing the Bay

Leave the car park at Stackpole Quay, head up over the headland until you reach the archway where the steps lead down to the beach (approximately 0.5 miles). Please be careful - the steps are steep/ The beach can also be reached from Broadhaven South Beach 1.3 miles away via the coastal path. Please note that both approaches are unsuitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.

Is it Dog Friendly?

Barafundle Bay is dog friendly all year round but do be respectful of other visitors and keep your dog on a lead due to the roaming livestock in the area.