It is the sort of beach that might appear in your dreams — golden sands fringed by rocks, stunning views from sheer cliffs, teeming wildlife, safe clear waters and breakers to surf on, rock pools to explore — and next landfall, apart from local islands, is Cuba, right across the Atlantic Ocean.
The area is managed by the National Trust. Part of its mission is to preserve our natural heritage and there is much to keep safe at Marloes Sands.
Picnic in the deer park and watch flocks of seabirds such as choughs, gannets and puffins wheeling around Skomer Sound. See, too, grey seals cavorting in the waters or sunbathing on the rocks below.
From nearby Martin's Haven you can catch a boat out to Skomer Island and its wildlife sanctuary for a close-up view of an ornithological marvel.
Marloes Mere, another habitat for wildfowl, is alive with dragonflies in the summer months. In the 18th Century, locals used to collect leeches here and send them to doctors in Harley Street to be used for bloodletting.
Gateholm is a tidal island just off Marloes Sands, accessible only at low tide and only then if you are sure-footed across rocks. Here, the excavation of an Iron Age fort was featured on Channel 4's Time Team.
Marloes Sands is the perfect beach for anyone wanting to avoid amusement arcades and burger bars and revel in the glories of nature.
