Nestled on the Pembrokeshire coast in southwest Wales, Barafundle Bay is fast earning a reputation as the UK’s own tropical paradise, and a recent viral TikTok video has seen its popularity soar. The secluded, east-facing sandy cove is flanked by cliffs and framed by dune-backed pine woodland, creating a scene of golden sand and crystal-clear, turquoise water more commonly associated with the Caribbean
Part of the scenic Stackpole Estate managed by the National Trust, the bay can only be reached on foot, a half-mile walk over uneven terrain and down a stone staircase from the nearest car park at Stackpole Quay.
Its remote location adds to the appeal, ensuring a peaceful experience without the buzz of shops, ice cream vans, or lifeguards.
Visitors and reviewers have praised Barafundle. The Good Holiday Guide named it among the top 12 beaches in the world and described it as “the best beach in Britain.”
TikTok account Global Getaways said the beach “looks like it belongs in Thailand.”
In 2006, Country Life even rated it the best picnic spot in the UK.
More recently, it received both the Seaside and Green Coast awards in the 2019 Wales Coast Awards.
Local efforts and National Trust stewardship have kept the shoreline pristine, earning a cleanliness score of 78/100, making it the cleanest beach in the UK according to one study.
The allure of Barafundle isn’t just its Instagram-ready aesthetics; it’s also a gateway to wildlife and natural wonders.
The broader Stackpole Estate includes lily ponds rich with otters, dragonflies, and wildfowl, with coastal cliff tops sometimes offering sightings of dolphins, basking sharks, and seabirds such as kittiwakes.
But a visit to Barafundle requires planning. With no facilities on-site, you must bring all provisions and be prepared for the walk, and check tide times carefully to avoid getting stranded.
Parking at Stackpole Quay costs around £6 per day in peak season, though National Trust members can avoid the fee.
As summer travel looks inward for many UK residents, Barafundle Bay offers a compelling alternative for those craving pristine sands, serene waters, and that coveted “tropical” feel, all without leaving British soil.