If you’re staying in one of our holiday cottages in Cardigan and fancy a day by the sand and sea, Patch Beach is the place to go. Complete with spectacular views and local wildlife to spot, this dog-friendly beach is ideal for a peaceful afternoon stroll away from the crowds.
Where is Patch Beach?
Located in the scenic village of Gwbert, Patch Beach is the closest beach to Cardigan (less than a 10-minute drive away). The small sandy beach is set along the estuary of the River Teifi and is lined with sand dunes.
One side of the beach looks out onto the river, and when you cross over the rocks to the other side, you are looking out to the mouth of the river and the sea; Poppit Sands is on the left.
Accessing Patch Beach
Getting to the beach is relatively easy; there is always plenty of space to park on the road, which runs along the beach, and there are at least half a dozen access spots from the pavement.
If you want to park on the beach itself, there’s a little road on the other side of the boat club.
If you’re coming from the Cardigan direction, just turn left and it’ll take you to the beach, but watch out, it’s quite narrow!
Facilities at Patch Beach
Patch Beach is generally considered to be one of the less crowded beaches, so there are no major facilities like toilets or immediately nearby cafes. The beach does have a slipway for easy access and a boating club on its shore.
Is Patch Beach Dog Friendly?
Yes, Patch Beach is dog-friendly all year round. Dog walkers are quite a common sight here as it’s a glorious spot for walks and games of fetch along the sands.
What Activities is Patch Beach Good For?
Because the tides can be quite strong here and this part of the coast can change quickly, Patch Beach is not recommended for swimming. For a good bathing location, head to Poppit Sands on the opposite side of the river.
Patch Beach is better known for its fishing, water sports such as sailing and the opportunity to see local wildlife.
If you’re lucky, you might spot dolphins, seals or even basking sharks along the coast here. There is also an array of seabirds to spot as you explore.
What to Do at Patch Beach?
A trip to Patch Beach offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy nature at your own pace. Aside from a meander along the sand and basking in a spectacular sunset, there are several things you can get up to on your visit.
Walking
The beach sits alongside part of the Ceredigion Coast Path – if you and your pup are up for a longer walk, the trail along the coast here offers some really lovely views. The first stretch of the path takes you up to Aberporth, which makes for a stunning destination, especially for those in search of even more quintessential seaside fun.
Boat Trips
If you’re a wildlife lover and want a good chance of seeing some of the area’s local marine residents up close, why not set off on a boat trip? Wildlife watching boat trips organised by A Bay to Remember set off from Patch Beach from March to October, taking you out to explore Cardigan Bay in a whole new way.
Here, you’ll get the chance to spot bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic grey seals, harbour porpoises and various seabirds.
Fishing
Ceredigion waters are renowned for their fishing opportunities (freshwater and saltwater), and Patch Beach offers a nice little spot to set up for the day. Here you may expect to catch bass, flounder, pollack and mullet, with some chance of salmon and sea trout/sewin too (although these will require a licence).
The rest of the Teifi River is also widely renowned for its fishing and is even known as ‘Queen of the Game Fishing Rivers’, so there’s plenty to experience along this stretch of water beyond Patch Beach.
Other Cardigan Bay Beaches
For more coastal wonders and lovely beachy days out, there are several other nearby beaches that fit the bill.
- Poppit Sands
- Mwnt Beach
- Aberporth Beach
All of these provide stunning sandy stretches and panoramic views across Cardigan Bay.
For more beach recommendations, check out our guide to all the blue flag beaches in West Wales.
Still planning your perfect Ceredigion break? Discover some of our Cardigan Bay holiday cottages, including dog-friendly properties to ensure the whole family gets to enjoy everything this beautiful slice of the country offers.
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Discover some of our beautiful dog friendly properties, perfect to easily explore Patch Beach with your furry friend.
