We honestly cannot pick a favourite beach from the huge choice we have in Ceredigion (Cardigan Bay). It just depends on our mood and what we want from the day, whether that be amenities, activities, quieter beaches, a bit of a walk etc. The Ceredigion Coastal Path takes in many of these beaches.

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Here are our closest seven:

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Penbryn
Along with Llangrannog this is our closest beach. A 10-minute drive away, you park in the National Trust car park and walk approximately 5 minutes down a fairly steep hill to the beach, though you can drop off and pick up at the bottom. Also in the car park are toilets, the start of an enchanting (steep in places) walk through the woods to the beach (or continue on to Tresaith Beach) and the lovely Plwmp Tart Café. We feel this is our most unspoilt beach: Blue Flag, sandy, great for walking along, a scramble on the rocks to the next bay when the tide is out (check tide times to allow yourself enough time to return). Be careful of rip tides here. 
 

Llangrannog
A popular, yet unspoilt seaside village, Llangrannog has a picturesque Blue Flag beach, the Pentre pub, Caffi Patio (great for cakes & ice cream), the relaxed Beach Hut restaurant, which has a separate fish & chip shop, Tafell a Tân woodfired pizzas & some public toilets. Kids love the stream that runs out onto the beach, the spooky cave & a bit of boogie boarding here. You can also rent kayaks. When the tide is, safely, out you can walk around the corner to Cilborth, the next little beach - great for exploring. Walk up the hill (to the left of the beach as you look out) to where Sant Carannog stands to take in the views. There is parking near the beach front or a free car park which is around a 10-minute walk away uphill (there is a park & ride bus service to this car park & a lifeguard service in the Summer). 
 

Tresaith

A wonderful, Blue Flag, sandy beach with a hidden waterfall just over the rocks to the right. We love coming here for the outstanding scenery, the safe paddling & swimming* & the facilities: a shop which sells ice creams, teas & bacon baps, public toilets & The Ship Inn pub which overlooks the beach (be prepared for fairly long waiting times at The Ship). The parking is a bit of a pain as it's up some steep steps around 6 minutes away from The Ship, or as you drive towards Tresaith, turn left just before the bus stop & it's an innocuous left turning into some scrub land between the houses – there is a £2 honesty box. There are a couple of disabled parking spots & 2 non-disabled spots on the sea front & you can drop off & pick up here. 

New Quay
New Quay is close to our hearts as our favourite chip shop: The Lime Crab, and ice cream parlour: Crème Pen Cei, are here! We also enjoy a drink in the garden of the Black Lion Hotel which overlooks the sea and has a children's play area. The beaches are lovely, sandy and safe* and once again, Blue Flag. The boat trips to see the Bottlenose Dolphins are brilliant (though sightings cannot be guaranteed) and rock pooling is fun here though the rocks can be very slippery. There are quite a few bars, cafes and restaurants to try out and several shops to potter around.
 

Aberaeron
One of the prettiest & most colourful towns in the area with a pleasant harbour walk & a good number of shops, cafés & restaurants. It was recently voted Best Place in Wales by the Royal Planning Institute. Try crabbing from the harbour wall when the tide is in, explore the rocky beach front, do a spot of shopping, get fish & chips at the (child friendly) New Celtic Restaurant or take the kids to the park in the centre of the town, just off the main street North Road. Close by is a 2.5 linear cycle track to Llanerchaeron, a National Trust Property. Note: as of 2024 a long-term Coastal Defence scheme is taking place.
 

Aberporth
There are 2 pleasant beaches to explore in Aberporth, one of which Dolwen, is Blue Flag. The rock pools are enjoyable, the views lovely and the swimming safe*. There are a couple of car parks, cafés, a pub that does food (some people have said the food is good, some said not so good!) and a fish and chip shop dotted around the village. The walk along the coastal path to Tresaith is, for the main part, accessible and tarmacked (though the last part is not & is a little steep) and takes in stunning, panoramic views. 
 

Mwnt

Blue Flag, sheltered, gorgeous & unspoilt: Mwnt is one of the most popular beaches in Cardigan Bay, though the times we have visited haven't been packed. The steps to the beach from the National Trust car park are steep, a little hard going & unsuitable for pushchairs & wheelchairs though both can reach the refreshment kiosk. The toilets are in the car park - so go before you head down to the beach! You can visit the tiny white church which overlooks the coast & walk up the mountain for amazing views.

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*In respect of water safety, please check out further which beaches are safe to swim at and whether they have dangerous currents and riptides as we are not proficient enough to guide you on this.

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Also check out:
 

Cwmtydu
Small, quiet, pebble beach with a café and parking: look out for seals and their pups in late Summer/early Autumn though please keep your distance and dogs on leads.
 

Newport
Lovely seaside town, set in The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park with some nice places to eat. The beach is accessed by turning right before the town (signposted 'Traeth'), following the road over the bridge and taking a left to the golf club. The tiny Parrog beach is reached through the town side of Newport.
 

Poppit Sands
An expansive, sometimes windswept beach great for long walks followed by a huge ice cream, chocolate cookie or brioche doughnut and a coffee at Crwst on the Beach takeaway cafe. Surfing here is, apparently, good though hit and miss.
 

Gwbert
We've only visited Gwbert once and whilst we, personally, wouldn't say it was your sunbathing type of beach, it has amazing views over the estuary and our two boys had great fun exploring and climbing over the rocks (it's both sandy and rocky). Park on the beach at The Teifi Boating Club. You can have a bite to eat at the Cliff Hotel and Spa a few minutes away (turn left out of the Boating Club), which has stunning views.

Two good sites for further information on our local beaches are:

http://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/…/be…/Pages/beaches.aspx

https://www.cardigan-bay.com/beaches-cardigan-bay.php

For the T5 from Aberystwyth to Haverfordwest timetables click on the link below in the pink box and enter T5. As at 2024 the Cardi Bach coastal bus service was cancelled.

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