One of the many lovely beaches to visit in Pembrokeshire is Marloes Sands (Sat Nav: SA62 3BH).
During the Summer Season Parking is £5 in the National Trust Carpark (and cheaper again if you arrive later in the day, £2 after 2pm or free to members).
There is also a farmer’s field car park in the Summer months at £3 all day which you can drop into the honesty box.
The advantage of this field is you can park closer to the coastal path and it provides a short cut to the beach. Out of season you have to take the longer route as seen in previous Marloes posts.
For day trips to these remote beaches it helps to see the walk to the beach as part of the day out. Play eye spy or nature bingo to make the walk go smoothly and try to travel light (unlike us with our last minute bag of food!).
The scenic view of the sea always encourages me.
Past the hay fields you can see Gateholm, a small tidal island, which can be reached at low tide (unlike on this visit).
The route to the beach is at first flat, followed by a downwards slope, then steps to get down onto the beach. Out of season, we usually have the beach to ourselves but as it’s the summer holidays it was lovely to see lots of people enjoying the beach, there was a mixture of teens having a barbecue, couples walking and families having a beach day.
We ate our picnic- vegetable samosas on the beach for me!
Dinner on the rocks!
A double hearted strawberry!
I always love watermelon but especially on the beach. The kids asked me why I kept taking photos of triangular shaped food on the beach. A valid question to which I have no answer!
As the kids ate and played happily I managed to relax and read my book.
They enjoyed some low rock climbing.
Then a paddle and a swim.
Danny took time to relax on the “rock islands”.
More climbing and imaginative play.
More reading and using pebbles as paperweights. For years I never understood the use of paperweights. Now I finally “get it”.
We enjoyed just sitting, and being and enjoying the stunning landscape.
Then it was time to get dry, dressed and walk back. These are the steps and the start of the now uphill walk back.
A stop on the bridge. Across from here the coastal path continues for walkers.
Continuing the uphill walk looking for bugs and nature spotting along the way.
We found this emperor moth caterpillar on the path. The kids moved him back to the hedge in case walkers stood on him. I hope this was where he wanted to go and we didn’t add to his journey!
We also stopped to see the sheep in their field.
Some of them were as amused to see us as we were them!
“Ewe looking at me?” Sorry, I couldn’t resist!
Passing the fields of corn.
Tired children carried across the field.
Eventually returning to the car park.
There is usually an ice cream van in high season and toilet facilities are located near the car park down the track towards the Youth Hostel.
During hightide (as it was on our visit) some parts of the beach get cut off so do take care. We stayed near the steps so we knew we were safe but we did see one family have to carry their children across the water back to the main beach.
Have you visited Marloes Sands? Which Pembrokeshire beaches do you love? Have you spotted Marloes Sands in Snow White and the Huntsman yet?
