Barafundle Bay
Regularly named Britain's best beach, Barafundle is a half-mile walk from the nearest car park at Stackpole Quay — just far enough to filter out the crowds.
- Best forBeach lovers · Walkers & hikers · Families
- In December10°C · 18 rainy days · sea 11°C
- Ideal stayA day out from a 3–4 night Pembrokeshire base
- Approx. flying time~10h 50m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyGBPPound sterling
- LanguageEnglish
- Local time14:09same time as the UK
- PlugsType GUK plugs fit
- Drive on theLeftSame as the UK
- Dialling code+44
Why go
Half a mile of walking separates the nearest car park from a beach that regularly tops British polls, and that short barrier does all the work. Pale sand curves between dune-topped headlands, pines lean over the eastern end and the water runs a clear green that looks imported from much further south. There are no facilities, no kiosk and no road access at all.
Treat it as a day out from a Pembrokeshire base of three or four nights, since the surrounding coast holds several more beaches of similar quality. July and August fill the Stackpole Quay car park by mid-morning; May, June and September are far calmer and the sea is warmest in early autumn. Pushchairs and heavy loads do not enjoy the steps down.
- Ideal stay
- A day out from a 3–4 night Pembrokeshire base
- The vibe
- Wild, unspoilt, quietly perfect
From our guides
Golden sand, dunes, pines and clean green water make it feel smuggled in from somewhere far more southerly. Pack a picnic; there are no facilities, which is exactly why it stays lovely. The onward coast path is glorious.
Featured in Ten quieter beach escapes: when to go and where to stay
Things to do
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The walk from Stackpole Quay
About 15 minutes along the coast path and over a headland, ending at a flight of stone steps down through an arch in the wall. The reveal at the top is the moment.
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Broad Haven South
The next bay west, with a sea stack offshore and dunes behind, reachable on foot or from its own car park. Often quieter and just as good for swimming.
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Bosherston Lily Ponds
Flooded limestone valleys behind the dunes, covered in white water lilies in June, with easy paths and otters for the patient. A flat, shaded alternative on hot days.
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St Govan's Chapel
A tiny medieval chapel wedged into a cleft in the cliff, reached by worn stone steps. Access depends on military firing times on the Castlemartin range.
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Stackpole Estate
A National Trust landscape of woodland, ponds and coast that ties the beaches together, with waymarked circular walks from the quay car park.
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The Pembrokeshire Coast Path
The national trail runs straight past, so you can extend in either direction along limestone cliffs full of nesting seabirds in early summer.
Getting there
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Fly to
Cardiff (CWL)
Nearest airport to Barafundle Bay, about 111km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Pembroke
About two and a half hours by car from Cardiff (CWL), west on the M4 and then the A477 into south Pembrokeshire. Trains from Cardiff reach Pembroke in around three hours.
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On the ground
Getting around
Park at Stackpole Quay and walk the half-mile coast path over the headland and down the stone steps to the sand. There are no facilities at the beach itself.
Public transport: A seasonal coast-path bus serves the Stackpole area in summer, but it is seasonal and infrequent.
Flights
Los Angeles Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales
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When to go
Daytime highs run from about 9°C in January to 19°C in August. Driest in April and May; wettest in October, with rain on about 19 days. The sea is warmest in September at around 18°C, coolest at 9°C.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
December10° · rain 18 days · sea 11°Cold and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Cottages, farmhouse B&Bs and campsites, with small hotels and guesthouses in Tenby and Pembroke. No resorts, and mobile signal is patchy on the coast.
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Best base overall
Pembroke and Stackpole
Stackpole village and the estate sit closest to the car park at the quay, with Pembroke's castle and shops ten minutes away. Limited accommodation in the village itself, so book early.
Find stays in Pembroke and Stackpole -
Quietest
Bosherston and Freshwater East
Tiny south-coast villages with cottages, the lily ponds and a coastal path start. Very little in the way of shops, and the lanes are single track.
Find stays in Bosherston and Freshwater East -
Best with children
Tenby
Twenty-five minutes east, a proper seaside town with beaches, boat trips and plenty of places to eat. Crowded in August, and parking is a summer sport.
Find stays in Tenby -
Best value
Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven
Working towns with the cheapest rooms in the area and the Irish ferry link. Nothing scenic, but a short drive to the coast.
Find stays in Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven
Worth knowing before you book: The National Trust car park at Stackpole Quay fills by mid-morning in summer and there are no facilities at the beach. Cottages run weekly changeovers in the school holidays.
Search everything else in Pembroke by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Getting there
- Park at Stackpole Quay, the closest option, and walk. There is no vehicle access to the beach itself and roadside parking on the lanes is not welcome.
- No facilities
- No shop, no kiosk, no bins and limited toilets at the car park only. Bring water, food and a bag for rubbish, and take everything home.
- Timing
- The car park fills early on summer weekends. Arriving before ten or after four transforms both the parking and the beach.
- Tides
- The bay shrinks considerably at high water and the steps can be busy. Check tide times if you want the full sweep of sand.
- Safety
- There are no lifeguards outside limited summer cover and no phone signal in places. Swim within your depth and keep an eye on children near the rocks.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Tenby
Pembrokeshire, Wales · 15km away →
Coasteering
Pembrokeshire, Wales · 24km away →
A working farm stay
Devon, England · 132km away →
Cornwall
England · 132km away →
Fistral Beach
Newquay, England · 134km away →
Glastonbury
Somerset, England · 161km away →Elsewhere in Wales
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Barafundle Bay?
Daytime highs run from about 9°C in January to 19°C in August. Driest in April and May; wettest in October, with rain on about 19 days. The sea is warmest in September at around 18°C, coolest at 9°C.
How long should I spend in Barafundle Bay?
Our suggestion: a day out from a 3–4 night Pembrokeshire base.
How do I get to Barafundle Bay?
About two and a half hours by car from Cardiff (CWL), west on the M4 and then the A477 into south Pembrokeshire. Trains from Cardiff reach Pembroke in around three hours.
Do I need a car in Barafundle Bay?
Yes, a car makes a real difference here. A seasonal coast-path bus serves the Stackpole area in summer, but it is seasonal and infrequent.
What currency and language are used in Barafundle Bay?
Currency: Pound sterling (GBP). Language: English. Plugs: type G.
Who is Barafundle Bay best for?
Best for beach lovers, walkers & hikers and families. In a phrase: wild, unspoilt, quietly perfect.