Tenby, Wales---Beaches?

We're thinking of booking a tour on our cruise that includes some free time in Tenby.

My DW is definitely a swimmer, and I've read that there are some good beaches there. Hopefully it will be warm enough to swim there in August.

I would appreciate any information on the beaches, preferably free public beaches.

Beaches in the UK are free, look at the link below for beaches.

http://www.tenbyvisitorguide.co.uk/Beaches/

The best beach in the UK is at Rhossili not that far along the coast in the Gower, see photos below.

Tenby has two excellent sandy beaches, North Beach and South Beach. The Gower is quite a long way from Tenby,and while it has some beautiful beaches as you can see from Newport Dave's photograph, Rhossili is more of a surfers' beach and can be quite cold and wild. I've swum on a lot of Gower beaches but wouldn't choose Rhossili. I'm sure you'll enjoy Tenby and the town is quite interesting too.

As said - Tenby has two excellent, clean and sandy beaches right under the town. The water in August will not be all that warm, (around 60F) but plenty warm enough for swimming.

The South beach's 2 kilometres of golden sand spans the shoreline from St. Catherine's Island to Giltar Point. The beach is backed by sand dunes and looks out toward Caldey Island. The South Beach has won a Tidy Britain Group Seaside Award.

 

Facilities

South beach is less commercialised than North beach, but still boasts several shops and and hire facilities at the north end of the beach, plus toilets (with disabled access), and telephones in the nearby car park. Lifeguards operate daily (10am-6pm) throughout the summer.

Tenby North is a golden stretch of sandy beach, dotted with occasional rock pools and the prominent Goskar Rock itself. Situated between the harbour beach and the north cliffs, North beach is overlooked by a promenade and Tenby town itself. The beach offers great views over Carmarthen Bay and is accessed by the north cliff steps or through the harbour. During the summer this beach is often crowded due to it's popularity and ease of access.

 

The beach holds an EC Blue Flag award and the water quality is excellent, complying with EC guideline standards. A dog ban is in effect on the beach from May to September.

 

Facilities

Directly above the beach is a shop, cafe, toilets, and various hire facilities, besides all of the general facilities offered by Tenby town itself. A lifeguard service operates in summer daily (10am-6pm) and there is a Tourist information Centre above the beach, along the promenade.

I'd like to thank all of you for your replies.

I'm assuming that toilet facilities also means a place where my wife can change into her swim suit, and later out of it when it is wet.

I'd like to thank all of you for your replies.

 

I'm assuming that toilet facilities also means a place where my wife can change into her swim suit, and later out of it when it is wet.

Well, toilet facilities usually just means toilet cubicles. It's normal in the UK to change into and out of your swim suit or trunks on the beach, preserving your modesty with a large towel. Changing facilities are not usually provided on beaches.

You can change into and out of your swimwear in the toilet cubicles.

Well, toilet facilities usually just means toilet cubicles. It's normal in the UK to change into and out of your swim suit or trunks on the beach, preserving your modesty with a large towel. Changing facilities are not usually provided on beaches.

My DW got a good laugh over the "preserving your modesty with a large towel" quotation. She said she was just wear her bathing suit under her clothing.

The excursion we are taking actually has us going to a spoon making workshop before going to Tenby.

You can change into and out of your swimwear in the toilet cubicles.

Well, in theory yes, but I've never tried it and I wouldn't. Much too cramped and not necessarily a very hygienic ambience. OP, glad your wife liked my towel comment! I'm sure she'll manage just fine.

Just noticed your comment about a spoon making workshop. For anyone who isn't familiar with Wales and might be confused by this, it will no doubt be a workshop for making carved wooden 'love spoons', not metal teaspoons!

See link below for what 'Welsh Lovespoons' look like.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=welsh+love+spoons&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ObBJU5SLO8vT7Aac8YDoDA&ved=0CFAQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=891&dpr=1

Just noticed your comment about a spoon making workshop. For anyone who isn't familiar with Wales and might be confused by this, it will no doubt be a workshop for making carved wooden 'love spoons', not metal teaspoons!

Yes, that is what we are going to see. DW, in addition to being an avid swimmer who did not miss a single day last summer for swimming, is the world's finest elementary art teacher. Naturally, she finds native crafts interesting.

See link below for what 'Welsh Lovespoons' look like.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=welsh+love+spoons&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ObBJU5SLO8vT7Aac8YDoDA&ved=0CFAQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=891&dpr=1

WOW! Those are beautiful. Thank you for that link.

Unfortunately we don't have bathing machines any more.

I loved this description:

The bather then entered the surf by the front door, descending by another step-ladder like the one behind; and if she could not swim, the portly and sunburned attendant encircled the bather’s waist with a strong cord, attaching the shore end to the van. This precaution was very necessary at the British seaside, for often the slope of the beach was precipitous, and the water broke upon it with a sudden and vindictive force which often knocked down those who were weak.

She, who fifteen minutes earlier had a smiling face with silken hair woven into obedient folds, stands in a line with half a dozen or more other bathers, each tied to a van. The shapeless bathing dress that covered her is all bedraggled; her hair is tangled and matted. In the spirit of the moment, she dashes handfuls of water into her face, and paddles with her feet; and all the time she is preoccupied and fearful lest one of the violent waves should catch her unawares. When she has splashed for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, and is unspeakably disheveled, the bathing-woman hauls her in; thus completing her sea-side experience.

I should add that the slope on the Tenby beaches is far from 'precipitous'.

Tenby was one of the first tourist destinations in the UK, but for the waters and not the beaches. There is a building between the harbour and the Lifeboat station which used to be an 1800's "SPA" where they pumped the sea water from the beach below up to pools for the "Hoi-Polloi" to bath in relative seclusion. The street of Lexdon Terrace was the first of the hoilday homes featuring typical victorian style street front, and a view of the beach and sea to the rear to die for, even today. Have a great time while visiting us.