Barafundle Beach

We didn’t walk to the beach but we went and grabbed a beautiful coffee and brownie from the cafe and sat on the pebbles. It was so quiet and peaceful listening to the water.
We paid £3.00 for 3 hours in the car park (minimum) and we are so glad that the weather held up for us.
Would 100% recommend going here and will definitely return in the future.

This beach is certainly not easy to get to but it is definitely worth it when you get there.

Firstly it is quite a challenging drive down narrow roads to the large but very busy National Trust pay car park at Stackpole Quay. From here it is a c half mile, c 15/20 minute walk along the cliff top/headland to the beach - really lovely views on the way but on the day we did it, it was very windy with virtually horizontal rain from the sea. There is no access at all by car.

It is a truly lovely large, long and picturesque beach with a great expanse of golden sand which is accessed by quite a steep descent of steps to it - no alternative. It has to be said there are absolutely no facilities here - cafe and toilets are at the car park. For the fit, you can walk along the beach or round the back of it to continue your coastal walk.

It is well worth the effort to visit it.

If I am completely honest, this beach was a little underwhelming for my partner and I. Having been told it was "beautiful" and "one of the best beaches in the world" I had high hopes; these were reduced when we saw it wasjust a beach like any other really.

It is a lovely spot: the water was clear (if not freezing, but it is only April) and the sand golden so a perfect place for a relaxing bask in the sun. When we visited it was fairly quite too which was great, I can imagine it gets packed at peak times though. It's a lovely secluded spot and has cliff walks behind the beach I believe (not that we did them!).

The hike to the beach is something that would put me off visiting again if I'm honest. A previous reviewer mentioned steep steps at the start of the walk but there was no mention of the horrendous decline to the beach at the end of your trek! Honestly, I can't decide if going down them or coming back up them was worse. Definitely think twice if you have small children or lots of "beach things" to carry!

Overall, I do think there are better options than this beach if you have small children or less-able people with you. If you're up for the walk though, the views were pretty fantastic at the top of the cliffs!

Top Tips: take cash (coins) for the car park!
If you like shade, take a parasol as there is little shade available on the beach.

You can't just drive up to this beach thank goodness. The walk is well worth it and part of a fantastic circular walk around lakes and woodland. All part of National Trust land so it is meticulously cared for. Leave Tenby behind and search out this beach.

Yes it's lovely, as everyone says, it can't be faulted. We went in the morning, arrived at 10am and were some of the first there. East facing so we were protected from the westerly wind. We walked to the lily ponds & back to the car park, about 5 miles including some sand dunes so quite tough, but well worth it.
I just wanted to add information about parking - as at August 2022 it's £6 cash only in the machine, but you can pay by card at the adjacent kiosk.

It’s a long trek to this beach (15/20 minute walk). A mile my sister said how wet in the heatwave it felt like a struggle and much longer than a mile.

First you have to park . There is a sign at the top saying full. It wasn’t full at 2:30pm when we arrived. There is a machine to pay or an attendant who you can pay for a parking ticket.

The toilets were dry when we got there but stank really bad. There is a cafe shop there where we got icecreams. You can fill your water bottle there. Take a insulated bottle as the trek is 20 minutes there and back. First it’s walk up steep steps. Once at the top through a cattle field which you access via a gate. The bay isn’t in view and it feels like an age to walk there in the heat carrying your beach things. Ensure you have decent food wear and a backpack to carry it in. The walk down to the beach is slippy in sandals.

The actual sand is beautiful. It clean, clear and no pebbles. High tide in August was at 4:30 so most of the sand was dry. The water is lovely and cold unlike other beaches further away.

Not for those with walking disabilities, using walking aids. Not buggy friendly. If you cannot carry it then don’t take it with you! There is no shop there no toilets so go prepared with food and water flasks.

I was a little worried that I was going to be disappointed by this beach. It is described as being one of the best in the UK. It doesn’t disappoint!
A couple of things:
We tried to visit on a Sunday around mid day. At this point the car park at Stackpole Quay was already full and we ended up visiting another beach. We were better organised and managed to get there earlier the following day. We arrived at 9.30 and the car park was already filling up.
Car park is run by National Trust, so free if you are a member. If you buy an all day ticket this is transferable to other beach car parks on the Stackpole estate should you fancy a change of scenery in the afternoon. The car park was £6 , for the whole day.
Helpful volunteers on hand to answer questions.
Maps available, if needed.
Toilets and a well regarded cafe at Quay.
If you are reasonably fit, it shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes to walk to Barafundle Bay. Beautiful views. I was expecting a trek so wore trainers, but not really needed if the summer. R we are flip flops on the way back.
Quite a few steps so if problematic if you have mobility issues. Not accessible for pushchair or wheelchairs.
No facilities on beach, so take water and food. I didn’t find it too much hassle nipping back to the quay to visit bathroom.
Beach busy but did not feel crowded. Largely pristine, but horrified to see someone had left a bbq and some rubbish! Leave only footprints people!
Water crystal clear. Enjoyed a lovely swim, although even in July water was bracing! Some beautiful fish and jellyfish.
Sand soft and fine, felt like the Caribbean.
Beach framed by cliffs and woodland, really beautiful.

Info first..
1) Carpark be there by 10.30am, if you are a National Trust card holder parking is free, you scan your card at machine. Cars £6, machine is cash only, Although if the lady at the little shop by the ticket machine is there she will take card payments, no notice saying this though.
2) To get to the beach is a good 15 minute walk, up steps and along a like Moor area, this is not pram or wheel chair friendly. Also once you have past the toilets & café that's it, picnic or bbq only, there is nothing on the beach at all.
3) Dog friendly, remember to clean up after them!!
The Beach, Wow, wow, wow!! Beautiful and unreal. We had an over cast day BUT it was still stunning. Beautiful soft sand. The waves are big and strong, or were today, didn't stop us going in though.
There is a walk though a woodland area that takes you to the cliff tops, I saw lots of people doing this, we didn't though, we enjoyed the beach.
Last but not least take your rubbish home, WHICH I must add people seem too, but let's keep this place a little gem.

This review is for the small Rocky beach near stackpole quay car park and the surrounding area. We arrived at about 9:50 am and paid £3 for 3 hours parking. We were limited as to where we could walk as we have an old frail dog who uses a dog buggy. We enjoyed watching a kayak lesson and walk up to left of the beach and sat on the high embankment watching the sea and everyone walking across the field to the beach. We had tea and scones at the boathouse tearoom. When we left at 12:30 the car park was overflowing. Cars waiting to get in. Cars couldn’t get out because of the queue to get in. The worst thing was people’s inconsiderate parking . Glad we went early.

Lovely bay, with stunning views. If you walk further away from the Stackpole Quay car park, beyond Barafundle Bay there are lots of dramatic cliffs that are teeming with birds at this time of year. Quite magical experience. The bay has no facilities, but we purchased lovely sandwiches and pasties from the National Trust cafe at Stackpole Quay to eat on the beach. Perfect day.