Situated within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Lydstep beach is a wide crescent of sand and shingle backed by a pebble bank with dramatic wooded limestone cliffs at either end.
The beach is privately owned by Haven Holidays who operate a caravan park located just behind it, and is popular with families who come to sunbathe, build sandcastles and swim.
During the summer, the sea is sectioned into zones with one area dedicated to swimmers so they can enjoy safe bathing away from the power boats, water skiers, and jet skis that are permitted in the other zone.
Other popular watersports include surfing, bodyboarding, paddle boarding, wind surfing, and kayaking, with an activity centre on the beach that offers equipment hire.
The beach has a slipway for launching dinghies and sailing boats, although permission is needed from the caravan park to use it.
Lystep is a good choice for sea anglers particularly after stormy weather when a catch can include bass, dogfish, rays, bream, flounder, whiting, and even lobsters. Periwinkles can be gathered by hand and families will enjoy crabbing on the beach.
At the southern end of the beach lies Lydstep Head owned by the National Trust and a great place for a walk that offers spectacular views. From the beach climb up to the car park situated on the cliffs above and follow the path towards the sea. You’ll pass a WWII gun emplacement and a concrete pillar and where the path divides it’s possible to see across to Manorbier Artillery Range.
Continue through an area of gorse bushes where you might encounter cattle or wild ponies grazing, until you reach an open stretch of coastal grassland. Here, you can look across to Caldey Island, inhabited by humans since the Stone Age and now home to an order of Cistercian monks who own the island.
The island is rich in flora and fauna including recently introduced red squirrels, the largest colony of cormorants in Wales, and rare breed sheep and cattle.
Keep an eye out for Caldey Lighthouse, a limestone tower dating back to 1829, flanked by the lighthouse keeper’s cottages, and Caldey Abbey, a Grade II listed Arts and Crafts style building completed in 1910.
On clear days, you can also see across to the north Somerset coast and Lundy Island from Lydstep Head, and keep an eye out for seals, dolphins, and porpoises playing in the sea.
In spring and summer, the cliff-top grass is abundant with wildflowers such as orchids, kidney vetch, and spring squill, attracting butterflies and other insects. Birdlife in the area includes peregrine falcons, jackdaws, choughs, fulmars, razorbills, and gulls.
Keep walking until you reach the headland which offers views of Giltar Point and Carmarthen Bay, and then follow the Pembrokeshire Coast until you pass an old quarry. The quarry was active until the early 19th century, producing blocks of limestone which were exported to various ports in the West Country.
From here, walk through a small area of woodland before making your way back to the car park.
From the top of the cliffs, at low tide, you can descend to Lydstep Caverns, a series of sea caves popular with climbers. Among the most impressive is Smugglers’ Cave, which stretches nearly 100 metres and features two entrances and a skylight, with its upper end opening into a grassy doline. While steps and a handrail are provided, care should be taken when exploring. Further west lies the Droch, a cave with a chamber reaching 20 metres in height.
At the foot of the caves, you’ll find plenty of rockpools to explore. Look out for various seaweeds, sea snails, starfish, anemones, crabs, octopuses, and small fish hiding in the crevices.
There’s also an abundance of coral fossils embedded in the surfaces of the pebbles and boulders, as well as crinoids, gastropods, and brachiopods.
Lystep is one of the best spots for coasteering in Wales. Book a guided adventure to experience swimming through the sea caves, low-level diving, rock-hopping, and some thrilling jumps.
Lystep Beach Village holiday park has a range of caravans and lodges, along with an indoor pool, amusement arcade, children’s play area, and a New England style clubhouse. The park also offers an extensive programme of activities and entertainment.
During quieter times of the year, the holiday park sometimes offers day passes allowing non-residents to use the facilities.
For a bite to eat, head to Lystep Tavern a roadside pub that sits on the site of an old inn called the Quarry Hotel. The pub has a beer garden and serves takeaway pizzas, as well as pub classics based around seasonal produce.
A small café and shop selling essentials are located on the beach. There are also drinking water fountains and public toilets with disabled facilities. The National Trust car park is free, and those with mobility issues can use the slipway to get down on to the beach.
