I visit UK's 'best beach' several times a year - one thing you must watch out for

When you think of the best beaches the UK has to offer, your mind probably goes straight to the beautiful, wide open sands of Cornwall, Pembrokeshire or those in the south-east of England.

Southerndown is certainly not the UK's most classically beautiful beach (though there is an astonishing amount of competition for this title, to be fair). Neither is it the most swimmer-friendly.

But what Southerndown lacks in golden, powdery sand or calm waters, it makes up for in fascination and the sheer, raw power of nature. And it has recently been named as one of the best beaches in the UK, alongside the likes of Watergate Bay in Cornwall, Woolacombe in Devon, Margate in Kent and Southbourne in Dorset.

The most stunning thing of all about this beach on the Vale of Glamorgan coast in south Wales is just how quickly it disappears under the incoming tide, the speed of which never ceases to catch me by surprise no matter how many times I watch it happen. You really have to watch out for it or it will catch you out.

One minute you are playing on the expansive flat sand or searching the many rock pools for crabs and sea anemones, the next you are scrambling to collect your blankets and picnic basket and retreating from the waves as they roll in. All you can then do is watch on from a distance as they smash against the rocks below and the sheer cliff faces that flank the beach on either side, with the beach completely vanished.

So if you want some time to play on the sand and swim in the sea, you'll need to check the tide times and plan your visit accordingly - if you arrive at high tide, you won't spot a single grain of sand. But if you do arrive at low tide, you'll have loads of beach to play or relax on.

The beach is wonderful at any time of year. On a hot summer's day there's plenty of space to play. And in winter, the bitter winds roar in from the Channel across the beach, so you'll need to be well wrapped-up.

The beach is found along the 14-mile Glamorgan Heritage Coast which merits comparison with such geological wonders as the south of England's Jurassic Coast or Northern Ireland's Giant Causeway. It is a site of special scientific interest and a popular place for seeking fossils in loose rocks. Last year, a dad and son out walking found ancient human bones at the beach.

The cliffs along the coast were formed from the Carboniferous period (350 million years ago) to the Liassic period (180 million years ago) and made up of layers of sedimentary rocks containing skeletons of marine creatures, mud silt and sand. The oldest rocks here date back to when what is now Wales was just south of the equator.

Set just back from the beach, the picturesque Dunraven walled gardens are also well worth a visit. They are a lovely place to relax on the grass on a warm summer day.

There used to be a grand castle here, built in 1802-1806 for Glamorgan MP Thomas Wyndham. After his death in 1814 the castle became the seat of his descendants, the Ladies and Earls of Dunraven. The castle and grounds were used as a hospital in the First World War but the castle was demolished in 1962. Before the castle, there had also been a 16th century mansion here.

There is a small outlet in the car park next to the beach (where there are also well-maintained toilets) selling ice cream and snacks. In the village of Southerndown itself The Three Golden Cups pub has a large outdoor beer garden and serves good quality classic pub food.

Nearby is the Frolics restaurant, which is highly regarded and has excellent scores on both Google and TripAdvisor. A recent reviewer said: "This restaurant is superb. The quality of the food and choices are excellent plus the warm welcome from the family is lovely."

In the neighbouring village of Ogmore-by-Sea, you'll see West Farm in a stunning clifftop location, where you can eat and drink while gazing out to sea. It's a truly beautiful place, serving coffee and cake, breakfasts and sandwiches for lunch.

Southerndown is located on the coast of south Wales, south of Bridgend. It can be reached by the B4524 and then by taking the road through the village towards the beach, which is signposted (the beach is also known as Dunraven Bay). There is a small car park right on the beach, and a larger one up on the clifftop which is opened at busy times. It costs £5 to park.