Glen Beach

Along the south Pembrokeshire coastline, located just south of Saundersfoot Beach and Harbour is the sandy Glen Beach, the perfect location for a fun family day out.

The beach is backed by low cliffs and dense woodland where the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path passes through. From the beach, there are views out to Saundersfoot Bay and down the coast to Monkstone Point. At very low tide, it’s even possible to walk to Monkstone Beach from the Glen.

Activities

This sandy beach is shallow, providing an ideal location for families with good swimming conditions at the harbour end. It’s also a great beach for sunbathing and sandcastle building but it’s best to check tide times before a visit as the beach can become almost entirely submerged at high tide. At low tide, the beach connects with Saundersfoot Beach and there are rock pools to explore for wildlife. 

Glen Beach is dog-friendly all year round. Your dog will love the walk from Saundersfoot Harbour through the Glen, leading on to Swallow Tree Cove and over to Monkstone Point. It’s a popular walking spot for locals and facing east, it catches the morning sunshine.

There are three coves and plenty of rockpools to explore for wildlife along the entire length of Glen Beach, right up to Monkstone Point where the sea life appears to cling to every rock surface. The bay between Glen Beach and Monkstone Beach is also great for snorkelling or you can jump aboard your kayak to take you further offshore. Alternatively, you could explore the high coastal footpaths through the woodland right behind the beach.

Being harbourside, you’ll also see a lot of boating activity take place. Expect sailboats and powerboats in the water here, making their way out across the shore to explore Carmarthen Bay and the surrounding south Pembrokeshire coastline. Enthusiastic anglers can also regularly be spotted fishing from the harbour. 

A trip on the Open Top Coaster bus running from Saundersfoot to Tenby is a must. Running from the beginning of April right through to mid-September 7 days a week, including bank holidays, you can hop on board for spectacular views of the wonderful Welsh coast. If you’re looking for a day out in Pembrokeshire this hop-on, hop-off bus is the perfect option.

If you prefer to travel by car, Tenby is only a 10-minute drive away, while Wiseman’s Bridge and Amroth lie in the opposite direction. Or for a day out enjoy the nearby family attractions such as Oakwood Theme Park, Folly Farm, Manor House Wildlife Park and Heatherton World of Activities.

Facilities

Glen Beach sits within walking distance of the coastal village of Saundersfoot with a number of facilities and amenities all conveniently close by to the sandy shore. 

There are two main car parks within the village. The first is located on the harbour, close to Glen Beach while the second is less than a five-minute walk away. Both are Pay and Display. Near the harbour, there are free public toilets and in the Regency Car Park there are more public toilets, but these have a charge.

Saundersfoot Harbour and Beach

Options for where to eat are in abundance in Saundersfoot; dine at The Boathouse for delicious meals or head to The Kookaba to sample authentic Australian cuisine. The Butternut Pantry is a great choice for a sit-down breakfast or head to The Beach Grill in the heart of the village to try a delicious takeaway rustic bacon roll for a beachside picnic. If that doesn’t take your fancy, there are two fish and chip shops for a real seaside treat.

The streets nearby to the shore are scattered with gift shops and bakeries as well as Sea Deli serving fresh cockles and mussels. There’s also the choice of two small supermarkets with one that stays open till 11 pm. Just around the corner of the main street stands an amusement arcade and a nightclub.

Access

Glen Beach is best accessed from Saundersfoot Harbour at low tide. There is an alternative access point if the tide is in from the Glen Woods but it should be noted that you are completely cut off from the rest of the beach until the tide goes out.

There are two car parks in the village, both with a charge, with some disabled spaces above the south section of the beach and further parking is available in the village. 

There are disabled parking spaces in the Harbour car park for Blue Badge Holders, in close proximity to the beach, village shops and restaurants. Blue Badge Holders receive an extra hour free on their parking. There are also disabled parking spaces in the Regency Hall Car Park and at Coppet Hall Car Park which are also pay and display. Coppet Hall Car Park is about a 15/20 minute walk from Glen Beach but is accessible through the cliff tunnels along the seafront. If visiting in peak months, it’s advised to arrive early to not miss out on a parking spot at any of the three mentioned car parks. 

To get onto Glen Beach there is easy slope access from the harbour for wheelchairs, with a zig-zag ramp at the end of the Harbour next to the new Marine Centre of Excellence building. Beach wheelchair hire is available from Saundersfoot Harbour during the summer season designed to be used on the sandy beaches.

The closest public toilets to Glen Beach can be found at Saundersfoot Harbour near the car park and are free of charge. These include disabled facilities. There are also more public toilets with disabled facilities opposite the Regency Hall in the Council Car Park, however, these charge a small fee.

If you are planning to travel via public transport, it’s worth noting that Saundersfoot Train Station is around a thirty-five-minute walk from the beach and is not located in the centre of the village as you might expect. There are also regular buses from Saundersfoot to Tenby.

Views of Glen Beach at high tide

Is Glen Beach Dog Friendly?

Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round. You can enjoy a refreshing swim with your pup, plus there’s plenty of space for your dog to run and play, so they’ll never get bored.

Stay in Saundersfoot

Glen Beach lies just a short distance away from the popular holiday destination of Saundersfoot with all of its activities and amenities, so why not book a stay in one of our Saundersfoot holiday homes to explore this region in depth? You can share your time between this beach and the two other beaches within easy walking distance; Coppet Hall and Saundersfoot’s main beach.

Saundersfoot Self-Catering Cottages