Shepherd's huts near Port Eynon

Across the Loughor Estuary from the Gower west of Llanelli, the huge expanse of golden sandy coast indicates South Carmarthenshire’s shoreline. Caught between the Gower and Pembrokeshire, it gets less attention than either, and though parts are built-up, most of it is quite quiet. Cefn Sidan beach, around Pembrey Country Park, is among the UK’s biggest beaches, and there is camping in the woods back from the beach, plus an array of large sites along the coast.

While on the Gower, it’s worth taking advantage of another area that you would likely otherwise travel right on by without stopping. Northeast of Port Talbot, countryside ruptures up into Afan Forest Park’s forested hills, home to some of South Wales’ top mountain biking and hiking. Then, extend explorations into even greater and lonelier forests north of CwmAfan. There’s camping at Afon Forest Park’s main mountain biking trailhead by the South Wales Miners Museum, 30 miles east of Port Eynon.