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Take a Sneak Peek at these Hidden Gems in Wales

It’s taken a while to compile this one and a fair few miles clocked up to find them all, but here it is – our guide to our favourite hidden gems in Wales…


Hidden Gems in Pembrokeshire

Newgale Beach, Pembrokeshire

The Witches Cauldron

Most visitors to Pembrokeshire will have heard of Ceibwr Bay but many of them leave without discovering the Witches Cauldron (Pwll y Wrach in Welsh) which is just a 20-minute walk along the coast path heading south from Ceibwr Bay.

The Cauldron is a natural feature in the cliffs and is (to put it simply) a sinkhole. At low tide, you can enter the cauldron through a small cave in the southern wall. Inside you will find a small sandy beach and a series of other caves dotted about its walls – do take care if you enter the cauldron as you could be cut off very quickly by an incoming tide.

Seals are frequent visitors to the cauldron, usually when the tide is high and if you wait overlooking the cauldron you stand a good chance of seeing one or two come in through one of the caves.

Aberbach Beach

This little known beach is hidden at the end of a small country lane on the outskirts of Dinas Cross in north Pembrokeshire. Access is by foot only and there is nowhere to park nearby, making this a very quiet and little frequented beach. The only people you will normally see here are those walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Aberbach Beach is an idyllic dog-friendly beach in West Wales.

Situated off the A487 – head out of Dinas towards Fishguard and at the yellow ‘turning bay 300yds’ sign turn right on to the unclassified lane. Follow this lane for around a mile and look for the lane to your left. Walk down the lane to the left to reach Aberbach Beach.

Looking for a place to stay? Take a look at these Pembrokeshire holiday cottages, providing you with a home away from home on your next adventure.


Hidden Gems in West Wales – Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire

Visit Carmarthenshire

Walk along the Afon Ystwyth from the B4340 to the B4343

This is a lovely walk along an unclassified lane in Carmarthenshire. To get there – take the B4340 from Aberystwyth for some 10.5 miles, at the bridge below the house with a stone arch above its door turn left on to the unclassified road. Drive on for some 400 meters passing the wood yard and there is a parking area with a picnic spot on your left, you can park here.

Exit the picnic area and turn left, follow the road to its end. The road offers lovely views of the Afon Yswyth (Ystwyth River) along much of the 4 mile walk and is set on a lovely wooded valley side. At the end of the lane is a village called Pont-rhyd-y-groes with a cafe (Cwtch) and a pub called the Miners Arms Hotel.

Eglwys St Tysilio to Cwm Silio Beach

This is a beautiful walk that takes in a deep wooded valley on route to a secluded beach in Ceredigion. Look for the signpost to Caerwedros on the A487 a mile south of Synod Inn – it’s on a crossroads with a church. Follow the road to Caerwedros for some 3.2 miles.

When you reach a sharp left-hand bend with a no through road in front of you – follow the no through road and park on the gravel car park just past the farm entrance on your right. From here you will need to don your walking shoes.

Walk along the lane until you reach Eglwys St Tysilio (The Church) on your right. Enter the Churchyard through the iron gate and follow the path to the right of the Church – this will take you into the top of the wooded valley. Follow the path down and at the bottom, turn left leading you to the beach along a footpath that overlooks the stream.

Natural Causeway between Aberystwyth and Borth

Around a mile north of Clarach Beach is a beautiful natural causeway jutting out into Cardigan Bay. Access is on foot only along the All Wales Coast Path. You can park in the small car park above Clarach Beach. Head north along the coast path until you come to Walog House – situated on the shoreline is the causeway.

Walk from Dolaucothi Gold Mines to the Towy Bridge Pub

This walk takes in some 8.9 miles of beautiful Carmarthenshire back lanes and ends at the Towy Bridge Pub, a popular pub in Carmarthenshire. You can park in Pumsaint behind the community hall. At some 9 miles long this is a walk to start early in the morning – apart from the amazing scenery this walk has another bonus – there is a pub at both ends of it.

From the community centre car park head on to the A482 and turn left towards Dolaucothi Gold Mines. Take the next left and then left again so that you pass the gold mines on your right. From the gold mine you just stay on this lane until you reach The Towy Bridge Pub. You will pass through wooded valleys, farmland, moorland and glacial valleys all via this tiny back lane through some of Carmarthenshire’s most stunning countryside.

Enjoy a holiday to remember and explore these Welsh hidden gems from one of these Carmarthenshire cottages or holiday accommodation in Ceredigion.


Hidden Gems in Powys and Mid Wales

Penbryn Beach

Enjoy a picnic overlooking Llyn Clywedog

High above this picturesque reservoir in Powys, on the B4518, is a small parking spot with space enough for 5 cars. If you can park here you will be rewarded with an absolutely stunning vista overlooking the reservoir below and over the hilltops of Powys. Don’t forget the picnic and bubbles!

Drive the B4355 from Felindre to Dolfor

Head north out of Felindre and follow this road through the winding valley floor for some truly beautiful scenery. As you start to climb watch out for a couple of good hairpin bends before you are transported up onto the hills with a truly open road in front of you.

You can see for miles up here but do keep your eyes peeled as even though the traffic is minimal there are plenty of sheep! Once over the second cattle grid, the countryside changes with more tree-lined roadsides before bringing you into Dolfor and on to the A483.

We have a fantastic selection of holiday cottages in Powys and cottages in Mid-Wales to choose from – the perfect base to explore these hidden gems.


We hope you’ve enjoyed our collection of hidden gems in Wales. Don’t take our word for it – why not stay in one of these holiday cottages in West Wales and explore these hidden gems for yourself.