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Kidwelly Beach

(St. Ishmael Beach)

Carmarthenshire, Wales


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The coastline of Wales is home to numerous stunning beaches, each with its unique character and attractions, and in this article, we will be exploring two such beaches: Kidwelly Beach, also known as Ferryside Beach. .

Kidwelly Beach, located near the village of St Ishmael, is a large expanse of sand and shingle situated at the mouth of three large estuaries, overlooking Carmarthen Bay. The beach is surrounded by cliffs and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding rugged coastline and out across Carmarthen Bay.

The closest parking is in the village of St Ishmael, about half a mile from the beach. The beach can be accessed only across fields or along the coastal path. Due to its remote location, the beach has no facilities, but a pub with a beer garden can be found in the village, and there is a bed and breakfast nearby.

Carmarthen Bay is a Special Protected Area, and there is a variety of wildlife in the area, including many water birds that make the nearby river estuaries home. The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, which passes the beach, is part of the 870-mile-long Wales Coast Path.

Ferryside Beach, located on the mouth of the River Tywi, offers stunning views across to Llansteffan on the Carmarthenshire coast. The village was originally a ferry crossing point, facilitating transport across the River Tywi.

On a sunny day, the sandy beach is perfect for building sandcastles, paddling, and enjoying picnics. While swimming is not recommended due to strong currents, families can still enjoy a fun day out by the water. The River Towy Yacht Club is situated on the foreshore, providing members with direct access to the River Towy. Ferryside is popular for walking, with coastal paths that allow visitors to explore the stunning scenery. The area is also known for cockling and traditional fishing.

Estuary Sand Shingle

Weather and tides for Thursday 4 June

Today
Chance of rain 100%
Max temperature 16°C
feels like 16°C
Wind 25mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 63%
Min temperature 9°C
feels like 11°C
Wind 23mph

The tide at Kidwelly Beach is currently low. High tide will be at approximately 9:07 AM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 5:13 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Recommended holiday cottages near Kidwelly Beach

Things to do and see in the area

Llansteffan Castle (1.7 miles)
Kidwelly Castle (3 miles)
Parc Y Bocs Farm Shop (3.3 miles)
Kidwelly Industrial Museum (3.7 miles)
Dylan Thomas Boathouse (4 miles)
Laugharne Castle (4.2 miles)
The Original Tin Shed Experience (4.4 miles)
St. Martin's Church (4.4 miles)
Pembrey Country Park (5.4 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: St Ishmael

Location type: Village

Nearest village: Llansaint

OS Grid: SN361075

Coordinates: 51°44'31"N 4°22'30"W

Mapcode: GBR GN.CD02

What 3 Words: withdraw.household.basket

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

Country: Wales

Local Authority: Carmarthenshire

Parish: St. Ishmael

Nearest postcode: SA17 5UL

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

Stuff you might want for the beach!

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Visitor information for Kidwelly Beach, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

British Beaches is a Good Stuff website.

216.73.216.53 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:07:17 +0100