Broad Haven South Crowned Wales' Best Beach
A sandy beach in Pembrokeshire has been crowned the best in Wales, with another seven Welsh beaches named among the best in the UK. The Times and The Sunday Times have revealed the 50 best UK beaches for 2026, the 18th edition of the list compiled by award-winning chief travel writer Chris Haslam.
Haslam travelled across 4,307 miles of 607 longlisted beaches in five weeks, following a 12-point inspection process to determine the best beaches. Broad Haven South in Pembrokeshire was named Wales' top beach.
Criteria for Judging the Beaches
The criteria for grading each beach include cleanliness, accessibility, parking, lifeguard provision, the condition of toilets and showers, dog-friendliness and, above all, water quality. Unlike other years, community engagement has been added to the criteria for 2026.
Why Broad Haven South Stands Out
Broad Haven South is known for its soft sands and dunes leading to clear Pembrokeshire waters. Chris Haslam said: "The sand at this perfect example of a Pembrokeshire beach is so soft you sink ankle-deep when you step off the path. It has waters clear as crystal, rock pools you can use as hot-tubs if the sun and tide are right, and, like all the best beaches, a stream running across the far end."
He added: "There’s usually an ice cream van at the top of the cliff, and if you follow the coast path west for a mile, you’ll find the 6th-century St Govan’s Chapel hidden in a tiny cove. If you’re wondering why the black rock pinnacle that dominates the bay is called Church Rock rather than The Swimming Witch, head left until her back becomes a pitched roof and her hat a steeple."
Other Welsh Beaches in the Top 50
Seven other Welsh beaches made the list of the best in the UK. They are:
- Newborough Beach, Anglesey
- Traeth Porthor, Gwynedd
- Llangrannog Beach, Ceredigion
- Mwnt, Ceredigion
- Abereiddy, Pembrokeshire
- Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire
- Three Cliffs Bay, Swansea
Haslam reflected on his travels: "I’ve waded through wildflowers on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in search of bays that make Tasmania look tame and I’ve watched the sun go down, cheered by surfers, in a salt haze over Widemouth in Cornwall that beats anything I’ve seen in southern California."
He concluded: "We’re now heading into the third heatwave of what we might look back upon as a summer to match 1976, so it would be a shame to waste those sunny days sitting in airports, queuing at immigration machines and fighting for sunloungers. You can do that next year. This year, drop your towel on a UK beach."
