You can drive on beaches like Black Rock Sands (Wales), Brean Beach (England), Benone Strand (N. Ireland), and Oceano Dunes (California), but restrictions and fees often apply, so always check local rules, tides, and be aware of soft sand and mudflats to avoid getting stuck, especially with 4WD/AWD vehicles being better suited.
Popular 'driving' beaches include Black Rock Sands in North Wales, Benone Strand in Northern Ireland and Brean Beach in England, although check before you go to ensure there are no restrictions on driving on the sand in place.
Vehicles can access the beach foreshore at Morfa Bychan. A fee is payable between 1 April and 30 September. There is an option to buy a daily ticket or a season permit. (Please pay at beach entrance.
Beach 4WDing Secrets REVEALED! How to avoid getting bogged on the sand!
Are cars allowed on Emerald Isle beach?
Driving on the beach is allowed for four wheel drive vehicles with a Town-issued permit between the dates of September 15 and April 30 only (closed to driving during Easter week). Visit the Town Administration Building at 7500 Emerald Drive to purchase an annual permit or call 252-354-3424.
Pendine Sands and its fabulous 7-mile sandy beach has for generations attracted holidaymakers with a unique selling point of still being able to drive a car on the beach and as being a mecca for world breaking speed attempts (cars to motorbike to sheds!)
Wales boasts stunning sandy beaches, with top picks often including Rhossili Bay, Barafundle Bay, and Tenby's beaches (South & North) for their beauty, plus Harlech Beach, Barmouth, and Llanddwyn Beach (Anglesey) for vast sands and family fun; areas like the Gower, Pembrokeshire, and Anglesey are hotspots for exceptional sandy stretches, offering everything from surfing to rock pooling.
In a shift of genre but not in grandeur, Freshwater West Beach was also the panoramic background in Ridley Scott's epic Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe. Its rugged coastline was filmed for scenes where Robin Hood leads his army to battle across the sands.
Use of a Four Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicle to drive on the beach is highly recommended. Lower the pressure on all tires. The softer the sand the lower the pressure needed. Generally drive with 15-25 lbs.
In general you are not allowed to drive on beaches in the UK unless there is specific permission from the local council, or that it's one of the following beaches. If there is permission from the council then they may charge money for access.
The best scenic drives in the UK offer diverse landscapes, with Scotland's epic North Coast 500, Northern Ireland's dramatic Causeway Coastal Route, England's charming Cotswolds and rugged Lake District/Peak District (Snake Pass, Buttertubs Pass), and Wales' exhilarating Black Mountain Pass being top contenders, alongside coastal journeys like the Jurassic Coast and Atlantic Highway, all providing iconic views from dramatic highlands to gentle valleys.
There was very good news for Wales. The nation had six of the top ten in the UK – while the bottom ten beaches were all in England. The analysis said of the top ranking Barafundle: “The 'Caribbean-like' Barafundle Bay in Wales has seen visitors soar over the years since it was listed as one of the best in the world.
Tenby is often called the prettiest coastal town in Wales for its iconic colorful Georgian houses, sandy beaches, historic harbor, and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park setting, but Llandudno (Victorian elegance), Portmeirion (Italianate fantasy), and Aberdovey (Snowdonia views) are also strong contenders, each offering unique charm and beauty.
One of the Llyn's most popular beaches, Black Rock Sands is a large beach, with everything you need for a great day out! You can even bring your car onto the beach, so there's no need to pack light – and it's great for water sport enthusiasts who can bring all their gear down to the sea easily.
'Babs', buried in the Pendine Sands for years, was restored as a running car. Today it is driven by Geraint, the son of Owen Wyn Owen, and is featured in the video cave experience at the Museum of Land Speed.
Pistyll Rhaeadr and Wrexham Steeple, Snowdon's mountain without its people, Overton yew trees, Gresford bells, Llangollen bridge and St Winifred's well.
