Coastal cruising: A day along the West Coast
This day out is great regardless of the weather due to the outstanding views and scenery but let's be honest, a sunny day will make this day out shine. Dog owners should be aware that many of the more popular beaches are closed to dogs between May and September but there are often quieter beaches that are accessible all year round.
You have the choice here of beach hopping to see as much as you can in a day or alternatively take your time and see just a few places over a couple of days.
Check out Ceredigion Coast Path
Morning: New Quay
35 minute drive from Hill View
Start by driving to New Quay (35 mins) as your first stop. New Quay is a charming little coastal town with plenty to do if you wanted to make this a focus of a day trip. The pretty painted houses trail down the hill to the quayside which is still used for fishing vessels as well as the daily tour boats. By the quay lies the beating heart of New Quay where you will be presented with marvellous views out to sea as well as a plethora of fish and chip shops (we highly recommend The Lime Crab who even do GF) and a wealth of ice cream purveyors. Alternatively try our favourite pasties at Pasty Pasty which are made in Cornwall and baked in Wales.
One of the most popular activities here is dolphin watching with many operators working off the quay. They vary in size of boat as well as time out so make the choices that suit you. The chances of seeing dolphins in this quiet harbour are pretty high but obviously not guaranteed, and if you don't fancy a boat ride you can sometimes see them from the quayside when they come into the harbour to play.
The main harbour beach can get quite busy but is a lovely family friendly area (no access to dogs from May to Sep) with soft sand and shallow waters. If you walk a little further round to South Beach (Traeth Gwyn) along the coast path (15-20 mins) the crowds melt away and you get a quieter section of beach. Be aware that there are no facilities here but you can take your dog here year round.
A nice little activity for a historical and literary slant is to do the Welsh Poet Dylan Thomas Trail (https://www.newquaywales.co.uk/trail.html) which will take you round some of the streets and buildings associated with his past and love of the area.
This is probably the biggest coastal hotspot for tourists so be warned that at peak season you will need to get there early for a parking space nearer the front otherwise there is normally plenty of parking a bit out of the main town but still in easy walking distance.
Cwmtydu
14 minute drive from New Quay
A quiet beach just west of New Quay is Cwmtydu (14 mins away) which you access via some fairly winding lanes but it’s worth it for its peace and solitude (unless everyone else has heard about it by now!) There’s free parking here which looks out across the sea so sometimes it’s just nice to stay in the car and soak up the views.
Lunch: Llangranog
14 minute drive from Cwmtydu
Next stop is Llangrannog (14 mins away). This tucked away seaside village feels a lot like Cornwall and is a bit of a hidden gem. It can get busy here in the summer so it's great to see it out of season. The free car park at the top is easy to access from the main road but there is the steep walk down the hill to the village and obviously back again! Saying that, the walk takes you past a commemorative garden with views of a small but impressive waterfall with quite a drop. The car park at the bottom is convenient but is privately owned and has been the cause of issues with fines due to its number plate recognition system, only 10 minutes to pay for your ticket and poor signal to pay for them via your phone - it seems to have settled down and bit recently but be warned.
Once at this sheltered cove with its little stream rushing out to divide the sandy beach you'll see why people love this spot. You can explore the cliffs with their fascinating geology and quite impressive small caves that. A small rock stack (how long it will last is anyone's guess) makes for a great view and the sea here is perfect for swimming, kayaking and body boarding. A great little open changing hut and shower shows that this is a well-used spot.
A beachside sauna has recently set up (https://www.sawnallosgi.co.uk/), which makes for an excellent opportunity for relaxation. It has a large picture window that looks out across the sea, providing glorious views and an obvious enticement for a cooling dip. Book in advance to avoid disappointment and be aware that it doesn't operate 7 days a week.
There are a couple of good pubs here, fish and chips, a great coffee and pizza place and a large café with tasty cakes and ice-cream, what more could you want?
Afternoon: Tresaith
If you time the tides right we would definitely suggest heading to Tresaith. This little gem is best seen at low tide as you then get to truly see the stunning waterfall that falls directly onto the beach where you can go all herbal essences and shower underneath it. The beach is another cracker and the nearby Ship Inn provides great views and the chance for a cheeky beach view drink or a hearty meal before heading home with half the beach in your car.
Other nice beaches to try if you have time are Penbryn and Mwnt both of which are National Trust so the car parks are free to members.