Naturist / Nudist Beaches in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland

Cefn Sidan - Pembrey Forest Park

Carmarthenshire

Massive beach backed by pine forest, and dunes at the far end. Some council hostility to naturists.

General

The beach used by naturists at Cefn Sidan is located on the coast of Carmarthen Bay, between Kidwelly and Burry Port. The beach forms part of the Pembrey Country Park and is described as "eight miles of golden sands edged by a belt of sand dunes", and backed by a pine forest.

[2012] The local council still continues to discourage naturism, and many naturists continue to ignore them - surely this beach is big enough for everyone to coexist peacefully.

Getting There

Satnav: SA16 0EJ (Forestry Commission beach pay car park), SA16 0JE (A484 towards Kidwelly - coast path)

From Llanelli or Carmarthen take the A484 to Pembrey, west of Burry Port. There is a car park at the Pembrey Country Park. From there, walk out to the coast and head west (i.e. turn right) along the beach for about 20 minutes until you reach the section used by naturists.

Alternatively, it may be possible to reach the naturist section from a Forestry Commission car park located on a lane leading off the A484 midway between Pembrey and Kidwelly.

Description

The beach is clean sand, backed by dunes the trees of Pembrey Forest and has been described as "a beautiful location for nude sun and sea bathing". However, swimming may be difficult as the sea retreats a long way at low tide and caution is required as there may be unpredictable currents.

Cefn Sidan has a long history of use by naturists but, because of the size of the beach you may often think you are the only nudist around at the time.

In August 2003 the South Wales Evening Post newspaper reported on some problems at Cefn Sidan:

"Police are stepping up patrols on the beach after being stunned by the bare-faced cheek of local nudists. Cefn Sidan Beach, which straddles Pembrey Country Park, has been thought of by some as a place where nudists can bask in the sun. But police Sergeant Kevin Gandy said: "This is not a designated nudists area. "We are stepping up patrols. Up to now nudists have been warned to cover up but in future they risk being arrested or reported for summons. The police are determined to make the beach a morally safe area."

Similar reports were published in 2009.

Facilities

None

Water Quality

No information, but reputed to be "clean and unpolluted"

Map

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Comments

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Roy Wilmot

Jun-18

Today me along with a mixture of men and a few women was told by a ranger in a van,this is not a naturist beach and to put our shorts ect on.This was by the Rocks on the beach.Everyone was behaving ,they stopped and told people naked along this area ,I was told they now do so daily.I think they have no right to do so.Its not against the law to be naked only to cause offence.ridicolous the beach is 8 miles long.
Patrick Thompson

Apr-12

I'm not sure how many beaches are actually used in the UK now, the dip in temperatures makes coastal holidays a thing of the past in England. Like textiles most naturists are heading to much warmer countries. Home naturism seems to be on the increase, although many people think of it as just being 'casual' with family people around them. Not many actually accept 'naturism' as a description of their lifestyles.
Oldtimer

Apr-12

Disturbing news item on local BBC website- quote "Nudists on Cefn Sidan beach could be prosecuted, says Carmarthenshire council" unquote. See the report at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-17689675. Appears to be a repeat of the 2003 and 2009 stance by the local council to the use by all naturists/nudists. Hope this does not spread to other unofficial nude beaches.
Nude Couple

Jul-11

We were heading for Whitford ourselves yesterday, but having seen the weather forecast headed east to The Ledges near Monknash and ended up having a half decent day, although we were virtually on our own.
Nude2it

Jul-11

We spent a quick hour there on Saturday, first visit and it appeared to be a nice beach. We paid our fiver to park and then turned right and walked for about 15 mins upto the rocks and settled on the edge of the dunes. Not many people and just a few nudists, no other couples. One guy took a walk to the sea, dont know if he went in, came back and settled not far from us, not a problem with that but unfortunately we had to shoot off just as the sun was coming out. Will definetely be visiting again, hopefully with a bit more time to spare. We were looking forward to a trip to Whitford today, but the good old summer weather put paid to that, try again on Friday.
Anonymous

Jun-09

...if you walk well down the beach and keep yourself to yourself... you will be safe, its such a large beach you can see people approaching from a long way off.
Anonymous

Apr-09

I have lived in Pembrey for 20 years and have never seen or heard of anyone getting into trouble with the nudist beach. I think its a good idea i.e. no tan lines, i've bathed there for may years. I tend to cycle down as far as possible almost inline with the RAF testing beacon.
Anonymous

Feb-09

...the further past the rocks you go the better it gets. The walk to the rocks takes about 15 minutes and you'll see some naturist activity - mostly single men - in that area on a warm sunny day. For more privacy, keep walking further along the beach for about another half to three quarters of a mile.
Anonymous

Feb-09

I have been visiting Cefn Sidan all my life. In recent years I've noticed that the area around the rocks is not now so well used by couples and families due to [redacted]. My wife and I prefer to walk further west for at least half a mile in order to get more privacy. You need to go this distance as the peeping toms use a hidden path in the dunes just behind the beach to follow you and then spring up unannounced. The signs on the beach access points contain the usual myriad of health and safety warnings as well as "No Nudity" in large letters. However, when you're in an area with no-one else in sight for miles then I think the statement's a bit excessive and lacking in common sense, as well as legally unenforceable. With regard to vehicles on the beach, they are not now so prevalent as they used to be as the former eastern access point has been blocked off by rocks and access is now via the main entrance near the country park office. This gate is controlled by the ranger service. I have never seen police patrolling the beach. The only official vehicles I have seen are country park ranger vehicles (usually white), Coastguard vehicles, as the sandbanks off the beach are notoriously dangerous (the various shipwrecks dotted along the beach are proof of this!), and RAF Land Rovers who patrol the northern end of the beach (and often outside the designated danger area) on days that the bombing ranges is in use. To sum up, an excellent beach for naturism (weather permitting!)as long as you use your common sense and [walk past] the rocks. The extra walk is well worth it!
Anonymous

Sep-08

... the beach was totally deserted at 10.30 in the morning... I stripped off and walked naked along the tideline for about three miles... I later headed for the dunes... well beyond the normal range of daytrippers to the country park and there I remained in a hollow, out of the breeze until mid afternoon. I had been naked all day apart from the 20 minutes or so passing the country park's parking area. The only people who had seen me naked were other nudists... a fantastic place to enjoy the outdoors, space and sunshine.
Anonymous

Sep-08

"..it's great being on the vast expanse of sand naked - but as someone has said a vehicle or even helicopter can arrive in seconds... there ARE no nudity signs and there HAVE BEEN police patrols...
Anonymous

Aug-08

I have seen wardens patrol the beach in white pick up style vehicles but they don't peer into the dunes as far as i could tell. I have seen other nudists near the rockpile, they appeared relaxed and not too concerned about covering up when vehicles approached... it's worth making the trip to Pembrey to experience the empty vastness of the beach and sandunes.
Anonymous

Aug-08

I am there sometimes on Mondays and have never seen any patrols of Police either.
Anonymous

Jul-08

"I have going to this beach for the last 20 years, and.. have never seen a police patrol vehicle, the only vehicles I have seen are the local council park warden / beach lifeguards vehicles with loudspeakers and spotlights on top, and fishermen. This beach is as good if not better than most including Morfa Duffryn...
Anonymous

Jul-08

"I was there this morning, and can confirm that police do patrol along the beach. The police are using a grey unmarked 4x4.... I didn't see the "No nude sunbathing" signs mentioned, and when I visited 3 or 4 weeks ago there must have been 5 or 6 naturists just enjoying this beautiful beach.
Anonymous

Jun-08

I was at pembrey last year 2007 big signs tell you NO NUDE SUNBATHING
Anonymous

2002

An excellent beach for just lying back and soaking up the sun. Going onto the beach from the main carparks, turn right and walk westward for about 20 minutes until you come to ridge of large stones set between the dunes and high tide waterline. This used to mark the begining of the 'unofficial' nudist area. However, with so many 'peeping-toms' prowling in the sand dunes, many of us have chosen to stop before reaching the ridge of stones.
Anonymous

2001

"Anyone looking for a good naturist beach in south Wales should try Pembrey Sands between Llanelli and Kidwelly... miles and miles of clean sand. Walk west for half an hour to reach the unofficially tolerated nude area. Plenty of room for everyone. Walk even further west and have the place to yourself. The tide goes out a long way and the sea is usually calm and warm on a summer day.

Photos

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Cefn Sidan beach

via Geograph