Heading to Mwnt beach (Traeth y Mwnt) ? Plan for your visit with our essentials guide.
On a coastline blessed with beautiful coves and stretches of beach, Mwnt stands out as one of the most picturesque.
Just five miles north of the Cardigan / Aberteifi, this rural secluded beach owned by the National Trust is somewhere to make a beeline for whilst you’re in Cardigan Bay and the sun is shining.
Why Visit Mwnt Beach?
The water is clear, the patch of rectangular sand clean and pristine, and the clifftop paths on each side offer up manageable short walks leading to sumptuous views of the coastline and the Irish Sea.
Although we had no luck, it’s widely regarded as one of the best places in the areas to see dolphins (bringing binoculars would probably have helped us greatly). Seals are also a possibility!
Atop the cliff and next to the car park, you’ll also find Eglwys y Grog (Church of the Holy Cross), a simple and peaceful 14th century white-washed church which still holds services and is open to the public.
Note that access to Mwnt beach is via a couple dozen steep concrete steps - these may be difficult for visitors with mobility issues or prams/wheelchairs.
How Do You Pronounce Mwnt?
The ‘w’ in Welsh, when between two consonants, acts as a vowel and can be either long or short in its stress i.e. like the ‘oo’ in English ‘book’ or the ‘u’ in ‘hunt’
So, Mwnt should be pronounced like ‘Munt’.
Feel free to correct us in the comments, as we’re basing this on the great cafe called Crwst in Cardigan and Poppit Sands being pronounced a like ‘Crust’ and some other Cymraeg pronunciation research!
Mwnt Beach | Walking Routes
Mwnt is on the Wales Coast Path, but from the beach and the car park there are two defined short, easy walking trails to join for stellar views of the Cardigan Bay coastline and Mwnt itself.
Foel Walk / Llywybr y Foel | A circular 0.5 mile loop from the car park via the church and up to the little hill (Foel) on the right for panoramic views - find a route map here.
Chough Walk | Starts to the left of the cafe, and sees you join up with the Wales Coast Path heading south. Provides the best views back on Mwnt beach.
These are all detailed on the National Trust noticeboard at the site, and we recommend doing both walks if you’re here.
Do note that, though straightforward and possible to do in trainers, both involve a clifftop and steep edges, and there are no-go areas. Exercise caution and common sense when taking photos, or walking close to the edge.
How To Get To Mwnt Beach
By Car
Firstly, stick Mwnt Car Park on Google Maps or SA43 1QH in the GPS.
From Cardigan, Aberporth, and Penbryn, the GPS may direct you exclusively via narrow B roads. These are pleasant and picturesque but not necessarily the quickest or easiest to drive; your best bet is to join the A487, and then take the signposted turn off.
The final stretch to Mwnt does however involve a very narrow single-track road and blind corners; please drive cautiously and patiently, making use of the passing places (not marked)...if you encounter someone coming from the other direction, you may need to reverse to allow them to pass.
Travel times are: Cardigan (15 minutes), Aberporth (20 minutes), Aberaeron (45 minutes), New Quay (45 mins) Aberystwyth (1h 15 mins)
On Foot
Following the Wales Coast Path will bring you to Mwnt eventually but, if you're based in Cardigan, walking to / from Mwnt is actually a practical option.
Sections run through fields rather than coastline due to entrance not being permitted on the land owned by Cardigan Island Farm Park - but you'll still get views of the island and a great approach to Mwnt itself.
To start, simply make your way to the Quay car park (Google Maps) where you'll find the path - it's about 7 miles one-way from Cardigan to Mwnt, via Gwbert.
Find the route section here, and other suggested walking routes here.
Public Transport
We aren’t aware of any bus options, but do let us know in the comments if that changes! The nearest train station is too far away to make it feasible.
Facilities & Parking At Mwnt Beach
Surprisingly excellent on both counts!
Down the stairs toward the beach, you'll find the excellent ‘Mwnt Kiosk’ serving drinks, sandwiches, snacks, ice-creams and souvenirs. There are public toilets next door too (free when we visited), and benches from which you can sit and enjoy the view.
Note that the cafe is closed after October, reopening in Easter.
The grass pay & display car park at the top is large enough for something like 100+ cars (depending on how well people park throughout the day). As it's also owned and operated by the National Trust, the parking fee is higher than those run by the council elsewhere in Mid Wales (£4.00 flat fee, free for National Trust members). That price is a bargain if staying the whole day, not so much if only popping in for an hour or two.
The only issue is that ticket machine doesn't accept cards, so you need to bring some coins with you. There is an option to pay via the 'paybyphone' app (though mobile signal is scant here), and you may also be able to get change from the kiosk.
The money goes toward upkeep and management of Mwnt, so don't skip it.
On weekends, summer holiday season, or unseasonally sunny days, we'd recommend arriving earlier in the day to guarantee yourself a spot given its popularity with locals and tourists alike.
No overnight parking is permitted, and there's no lifeguard.
Are Dogs Allowed on Mwnt Beach?
As we mention in the travel tips section of our 'Things To Do Cardigan Bay' post, it's prominently displayed at most beaches that dogs are not allowed on certain sections and/or banned during certain months.
This a legal bye-law, common across many Welsh beaches.
No dogs (except guide ones) are permitted on Mwnt beach from 1st May to 30th September. Outside of that, you can take your pooch on the sand without any concern!
Accommodation | Mwnt Caravan Park, Campsites & Guesthouses
If looking for a scenic and peaceful remote location near the sea in Mid Wales, then you couldn't ask for much better than Mwnt. There are several decent holiday accommodation options only a few minutes' walk from the beach:
Ty Gwyn Caravan and Camping Park | A very short drive from the Mwnt car park, the location is incredible. Their website is currently down, so getting in touch via their Facebook page is the best option.
Mwnt Holiday Cottages | Two self-catering properties, one mile from the beach - find out more here.
You could also opt to stay nearby in Gwbert at The Cliff Hotel & Spa, Gwbert Hotel, or Fourwinds Holiday Home.
Alternatively, base yourself in the lovely town of Cardigan.
