Cool Places
Marloes Sands
Marloes, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62
This is a sensational beach – a mile or more of curving sand, backed by cliffs and lines of sandstone ‘chimneys’ which look like something out of the Algarve. At its western end is the rocky Gateholm Island, accessible at mid-tide, which had Iron Age and Roman settlements, and later a Celtic monastery. Marloes is no secret hideaway but it is a good 20 minutes’ walk from the nearest parking spot, and has no facilities, so it can easily absorb its visitors. If you’re driving, make for the National Trust car park, just beyond the Marloes Youth Hostel, taking the Marloes Beach road from Marloes village. Bring a picnic: there’s no shop or café anywhere near.
