Barafundle Bay facts for kids
Barafundle Bay is a beautiful sandy beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It's a bit hidden away, facing east towards the sunrise. This special beach is part of the Stackpole Estate, which is looked after by The National Trust. Long ago, the Cawdor family owned this beach as their private spot. They even built steps and a wall to make it easier to reach!
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How to Reach Barafundle Bay
You can't drive right up to Barafundle Bay. The closest place to park your car is at Stackpole Quay. Parking there costs £5 for the whole day from March to October. But if you arrive after 5:30 PM, parking is free!
To get to the beach, you'll need to walk along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. You can start your walk from Stackpole Quay, which is about 0.8 kilometers (0.5 miles) away. Or, you can walk from Broad Haven South, which is a bit longer at about 2.1 kilometers (1.3 miles). Keep in mind that the paths are not smooth. They have uneven ground and sand, so they are not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.
The Rocks and Cliffs of Barafundle
Barafundle Bay is surrounded by tall cliffs on both sides. To the south, you'll see cliffs made of Carboniferous Limestone. These are very old rocks! To the north, near Stackpole Quay, the cliffs are made of even older rock called Old Red Sandstone. This sandstone formed during the Devonian period, millions of years ago. It's like a natural history book written in stone!
Awards and Recognition
Barafundle Bay has won many awards for its beauty!
- In 2004, it was named one of the top 12 beaches in the entire world.
- The Good Holiday Guide called it the 'best beach in Britain'.
- In 2006, Country Life magazine said it was the best place in the United Kingdom for a picnic.
- In 2019, it received two special awards from the Wales Coast Awards: the Seaside Award and the Green Coast Award.
Filming Location
This stunning bay has even been featured in a movie! In October 2009, Barafundle Bay was used as a filming location for the movie Third Star.
