Britons planning for their dream summer holiday have to look no further than the towering cliffs of Wales to enjoy the Algarve aesthetic.
Hidden beneath the steep-sided cliffs rests the stunning Church Door Cove, a little gem of natural beauty near the Pembrokeshire village of Manorbier.
Travel experts at holidaycottage.co.uk have named this small cove one of the best-hidden beaches in the UK.
They explained: “The cove is home to a colossal door-shaped archway, which has taken shape from the force of the ocean, giving the beach a very Jurassic Park-esque feel.
“Be sure to pack a camera to capture the spectacle.”
Church Door Cove owes its name to the high-arched “door” the sea has created by eroding the stratified sandstone cliffs that enclose the cove to the rear and both sides.
Visitors can access the fine sand beach via a steep set of concrete steps and a metal stairway leading directly to the cove.
On very low tides, access is also possible through a narrow stretch of the headland that connects Church Door Cove to the neighbouring Skrinkle Haven, which also boasts beautiful golden sands that have nothing to envy the Algarve.
Locals advise holidaymakers to check tide timings as the beach is otherwise nearly completely covered by the water on high tide and only rocky areas remain exposed.
The secluded little beach has escaped the fate of its sisters in the Portuguese holiday hotspot and remains mostly unaffected by over-tourism.
Visitors have hailed it as the “perfect hidden treasure” where to relax with your family and left glowing reviews to the “picturesque” wonder.
Reviewer Amir wrote on TripAdvisor: “Oh what a beautiful mesmerising hidden gem in Pembrokeshire!
“Quite a good walk and a few flights of stairs to reach this hidden treasure but it’s worth it! The sea, the cove, loads of rocks, the nature, an amazing way to relax!”
Fellow visitor Dawn echoed her, saying: “Absolutely loved this place. Hidden away down a lot of stairs is such a beautiful little cove.
“Archway in the rocks makes great photos. From there you can go through rocks to another beach (tide depending). Great for swimming too. Much preferred this to the bigger sandy beaches as quieter and more picturesque.”