Whitmore Bay is what most people think of when they talk about Barry Island, and has all the…read moreameneties you'd expect for a suburban resort: amusement arcades and fish'n'chips abound. Just behind is a small fairground, which I recall visiting when I was a small child - I used then to think it was quite impressive! The bay has also now been made famous by featuring extensively in the TV series 'Gavin and Stacey'. Up until the 1960s, however, it used to be packed during Bank Holidays with people coming on day trips from the mining communities in the valleys: newsreel footage shows every inch of sand covered with families! It's rather quieter than that, now, but still popular for day trips.

The larger of the two beaches on the island, this is very popular with holiday makers and local…read morewalkers. It's a surprisingly huge beach with soft golden sand and long headlands on either side. Ideal for families throughout the season for swimming and sunbathing. There is usually a coastguard presence. There are horse and carriage rides along the beach in summer, and many tourist and beach shops, cafes and fast food outlets around the promenade. The famous Pleasure Park lies behind the beach. The island railway station is fairly close (by foot) and you can journey to Cardiff from here.

The walk down to beach is the highlight. Interesting to see how pebble beach turns to large stretch…read moreof sandy beach .

This is a wonderful beach to spend the afternoon. The best thing about this beach is the walk down…read moreto it. A beautiful short walk down a hedged road full of honeysuckle brings you to a public footpath to the beach. You pass through peaceful woodland, a stream below you through the trees, and even a ruin of an old building in the dappled valley. Soon you climb out onto the beach and it's a lovely sight, of course. This is a great place to walk dogs and/or children. Bring a picnic and enjoy a day soaking up the sun. It's a whole lot less busy than some of the other beaches in the area, but it also doesn't have any of the facilities that other have to offer. The nearest toilets and watering hole are in the nearby pub, The Plough and Harrow, which is a great place for a seaside drink. There is usually a local field open for parking, donations politely requested. This beach is not wheelchair accessible, unfortunately.

Merthyr Mawr sand dunes are one of those places that, once visited, you'll never forget. These are…read moresome of the biggest dunes in the UK, in terms of height and expanse. You can spend an entire day here, and keep exploring new dunes and pathways. Be careful not to get lost! Eventually, a walk through the dunes will bring you out to a beautiful expanse of sandy beach, which is inaccessible by land apart from via the dunes, due to a wide river cutting you off. There is a campsite situated at the entrance to the dunes, and a large free car park, which may be the only shade you see all day, so talk a hat and water. This area is great of kids, as they can roll and tumble to their heart's content down the dunes. Sand sledging is also a popular past time out here, along with hiking and horse trekking. This is an amazing and unique part of the Welsh countryside, and I would urge anyone who's not already been to take a look! I adore this area.

The Dunes in Merthyr Mawr are a beautiful part of the country side located on the other side of the…read moreRiver Ogmore from the Ogmore Castle. It's extremely picturesque and they filmed some of Lawrence of Arabia here. The dunes stretch on for miles and used to reach all the way to the Mumbles near Swansea. The focal point nowadays would be Candleston Castle, a 15th century ruin which is naturally, rumoured to be haunted by various beings. It is all that remains of the village of Tregenllaw - a whole village buried underneath the sand a few years ago. Naturally, given the eerie setting of the dunes at night there are rumours that it's haunted! It's a popular spot for dog walkers, taking in some of the nearby sea air and, in the summer with younger people sliding down the dunes. I had many a barbecue here in my teens. It's a lovely spot and a great walk if you fancy walking all the way down to the beach. You can also extend it and cross the nearby River Ogmore to see some more of the area.

A great place to visit to take a walk across the beach and over the cliffs. When the tide is out…read morethere are rock pools, and fossils to look for amongst the rocks.There are many legends of smuggling here. Dunraven is home to the Heritage Coastal Centre where information is available (drive through the car park and turn left). There is a second beach around the headland but it's difficult to get to as it's around the headland and the access down is by steep steps.

I wish I could say I came here to rock climb, but mainly I just visit Ogmore-by-Sea with my beloved…read moreand his two-year-old daughter (which explains the my photo of a stuffed cow on the grassy knoll). Even on cold, dreary days, you'll find surfers of all ages here. When the sun emerges, be prepared, as this beach gets crowded with picnickers and lovers walking hand in hand. This was my first excursion to a Welsh beach (I ignorantly thought all seafronts in the world were lined with soft sand), so it was a pleasant surprise to find jagged cliffs and smooth rocks in place of fine white grain. I think Ogmore is the ideal spot for a picnic, with spectacular views, ample car parking and pretty clean bathrooms for a beach spot (there was even soap and loo roll!). Be careful during certain times of the day, as the tide comes in much faster than you'd expect - we set up our blanket and within 15 minutes had to move it to back!

I grew up in Ogmore by Sea, and lived pretty much right on the beachfront until I was about 15…read more Stupidly, I've probably been to the beach here more in the 6 years since moving away than in the entire 15 years I lived there! This is one of the nicest and most popular beaches in the area, and one of the largest. When the tide's out there's plenty of space here and there's also some really interesting caves all along the front stretching down to Southerndown. These were used by the famous smugglers of the area. Their modus operandi would be to attach lanterns to the local sheep. Passing ships would then come in towards land and get wrecked on the many submerged rocks in the area. The smugglers would then loot the wreckages and store their various goods inside the caves. There are even rumours that when the smugglers' local tavern was demolished (on the banks of the River Ogmore) a concealed tunnel was found, stretching about a mile to Southerndown. They would use this to make a quick escape. There's plenty of history here and there are many more interesting stories emanating from the local area, adding further mystique to the beach itself. Quick word of warning though - keep your eye on the tides as you can get stranded if it catches you unawares When the tide's in, the only area accesible is pretty rocky. I'm no expert (as the next few words will demonstrate) but there are many cool looking rocks to be found here (!). I've found plenty of fossils - some of them pretty large. Apart from the beach itself, in the summer there are burger vans and ice cream vans to keep you refreshed. It's a great part of the South Wales coast and it's teeming with history. You can walk pretty much all the way around the coast as well, around to Southerndown and Nash Point. If the sun's out, I would highly recommend it as there's some truly breathtaking views to be had along the way.

This is a great place for walkers and families about seven miles south of Carmarthen. The beach is…read morelarge with lovely soft sand and there are nice views across the estuary and River Towy to the village of Ferryside. Swimming is prohibited however because of the tides and mud flats. There is an official car park and also another gravelly and grassy area where one can park for no charge. Besides the main car park are toilets and a shop and cafe. Overlooking the beach is the huge ruin of Llansteffan Castle, also well worth a visit.

A spectacular view as you wend your way down Beach Road in Southerndown, down from the Three Golden…read moreCups pub, it opens right out across the Bristol Channel and then down the sheer cliff top to the beach below. A tentative gasp as you engage 1st gear to crawl down the incredibly steep hill to the little car park at the bottom - or if you prefer, park at the top and walk down (just remember you have to go back again!). The beach is pebbly and rocky at high tide but extends dramatically as the tide goes out, revealing golden sands and lovely rock pools on the exposed wave cut platform (remember that term from 3rd yr geography - not much else mind). Surfers love the place (westerly facing), sun worshippers and even fossil hunters too; the massive, domineering cliffs bounding the beach are full of dead creatures' imprints - just watch out for big lumps that fall off regularly. Behind the beach, steep undulating hills provide walking excursions and exploring and there are the ghostly ruins of Dunraven Castle up at the top to wander round (in a black cape would be best). Apparently a couple of the Dr Who episodes were filmed here too. Fantastic place - definitely recommended.

Massive expanse of water, sand, dunes, air and horizons! Fantastic sunsets. Surfing. Take a pony…read moreride through the surf. Beautiful place, check it out.

As a Cardiffian I feel lucky to live only a stones throw away from so many stunning beaches…read more With the second largest tidal difference in the world, you have to get your timing right. Visit the beach at the wrong time and there will hardly be any beach, get your timing wrong and you may get cut off and have to bide your time till the tide goes out again. Get it right and you will see the splendid Jurassic coastline, fossils and if you're lucky may even find the dinosaur footprints or see the sand spit. If you fancy a coastal walk on the cliffs above you'll find some WW2 gunning posts and you can drop back down to the beach at various points. The beach itself is mostly stone slab, with pebbles and a little sand. Great for driftwood, beach combing and fossil hunting, dog walking and bbq's. Sadly if the Severn Barrage ever gets built this brilliant beach will disappear.

This is a pleasant beach near Cardiff made up of a combination of rock and sand, backed by layered…read moreJurassic cliffs and looking out over the Bristol Channel. To find it, head from Barry towards Lavernock and then follow the signs for the beach. Lots of people park their cars at the Captain's Wife pub car park to visit this beach - but it's only fair that you then stop in for a drink or a bite to eat to justify using their car park! If the tide's in, it's a really tiny strip of a beach - but when the tide's out there's more space to stroll and look for fossils (but make sure you don't get cut off if the tide's on its way back in!). Some people have sailed to Sully Island from here, but the Channel can get really rough with strong currents and some have had to be rescued. Not a crossing for a beginner.