Having swung my metal detector over a fair few beaches in and around South Wales, this is the worst beach to detect on in Wales (by miles).
Not only is it just lacking in good finds, it’s also full of trash, iron and so many what I like to describe as hot rocks. Those pieces of rock that are made up of iron.
What is The Name Of The Worst Beach To Detect On In Wales? (Probably the UK)
Llanelli Beach
It has to be the worst beach to run a metal detector over as I have done a few times as it’s my local beach but it’s still the worst beach to try your luck on. The best thing I have found down there is the local cafe where they do nice coffees down there but aside from some modern day currency, if that’s what you want to find then good luck to you.
Why is Llanelli Beach the Worst Beach In South Wales to Detect On In 2026?
So much iron and trash everywhere. Plus, there’s these rocks of iron which show up all the time and play havoc with your machine and thus can be very annoying and off putting. I have been a mile out and still found hardly anything worth shouting about. So on that basis, it’s just such a bad place for metal detecting and I can think of better ones that are close by.
What Else Does My Head In When Detecting At LLanelli Beach?
This one doesn’t really apply just to Llanelli, but kind of ALL beaches that I go to, especially Swansea. It’s DOGS and some of their rude owners just allowing their dirty dogs to jump all over you, and then they just get mad when you call them out for allowing their dogs to shit everywhere, all because they’re too lazy to pick it up. If that’s the case, keep your dogs off public beaches because it’s not moany old metal detectorists like me who will winge about leaving your dogs run amok when they SHOULD be on a lead, it’s when they allow their mutts to shit everywhere for kids to play in it.
That’s where the local Councils have to start clamping down, wouldn’t you agree?
Is Llanelli Beach a Dog Friendly Beach?
Yes, actually, it’s not as bad as Swansea, but it can get very busy with them, so I urge you to stay away from Llanelli beach if you’re not a dog lover.
That being said, I do love dogs so don’t go roasting me on my socials for having an opinion about dogs mess just not being picked up or me stepping in the dog mess bags that get strewn all over the beach or half the time some of the owners don’t even bother to pick up their own dogs mess but they prefer to just leave the rest of us to play in it.
What's The Best Alternative Beaches Near Llanelli?
For me, I love detecting down Loughor estuary, and I have found some great stuff down there. I know it’s in Swansea, but it’s on the border, but it’s perfect Roman ground and even a great spot for beginners.
For me, it’s not Burry Port as some of that is off limits due to Carmarthenshire council laws, and the main Burry Port beach is not part of the Crown Estate forshore laws.
Check below on the foreshore map for Burry Port beach and the rest of Wales, and even the UK, for total peace of mind.
Would I Recommend Llanelli Beach to Beginners?
To put it bluntly, never in a million years, and I mean that.
Not even beginners should go down there; it’s that bad. Unless you want to find junkie needles and a pile of trash.
Although, I would definitely recommend Swansea beach to everyone. Great place for beginners and everyone else.
What's The Best Thing Found At Llanelli Beach?
The best thing I have found on Llanelli beach was a small gold ring, which I tried to find the owner on social media, but had no joy.
As I do with all my finds, I try to find the owner(s), and if I cannot find them, then, fortunately for me, I get to keep them if they’re under 300 years old and keep them ready to hand down or for my rainy day fund.
What's The Worst Thing Found At Llanelli Beach?
Probably dirty needles, which I then discarded in the bins.
Shame the junkies couldn’t do the same and think of others before littering the beaches with dirty used needles.
What if they fell into the wrong hands, or even if a dog got pricked by one of them and it was carrying harmful diseases, and it spread, it could lead to bad news for dogs and children alike.
Final Thoughts
Metal detecting at Llanelli beach isn’t recommended by me, and never will I go down to that beach and waste any more of my time on it, finding 99% rubbish and dirty needles and an endless supply of enough iron to build a frigging bridge or ship.
Go to Swansea beach instead, and don’t forget to grab your free permit to try your luck in some of Swansea’s finest parks.
Happy Hunting! Just not down Llanelli beach!
Darren Protheroe is the owner and creator of Wishful Detecting and aims to help share everything useful in the world of metal detecting and share all the best tips for beginners and share his mad adventures while on the road. Happy digging with me!