Newport Sands

Newport Sands, or Traeth Mawr, is a wide dune-backed beach at the mouth of the Nevern estuary on the north Pembrokeshire coast, with the Preseli hills rising behind and the old town of Newport across the water. It is a spacious, uncrowded beach with room to fly well away from people, and the mix of estuary channels, dunes and open sand gives varied compositions from height. There is parking near the golf club on the north side and further access from the Parrog on the town side. This falls within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, so follow the voluntary drone code and, importantly, give the estuary birdlife a wide berth - the tidal flats are used by wading birds and are sensitive to disturbance. Launch from the open beach rather than the dune system, which is fragile. There are no airfield restrictions nearby. Being north-facing and open to Cardigan Bay, the beach can be breezy and the incoming tide moves quickly across the flat sand, so keep an eye on it. This is a fine spot for a relaxed flight; go at low tide on a calm morning when the estuary is drained to sandbanks and the light comes low across the dunes and the Preseli ridge.