Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

The Pembrokeshire coast is properly dramatic. When you drive south from Pembroke towards the water's edge, the landscape shifts suddenly from gentle farmland into something altogether wilder - high cliffs, hidden coves, and stretches of sand that look almost untouched. The national park runs 186 miles around the entire peninsula, which is a lot of ground to cover, but most visitors are here for the coastal path and the beaches.

You can walk sections of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in a morning or dedicate weeks to the lot. Tenby Beach is the obvious draw - golden sand, decent facilities, proper busy in summer. But the real payoff comes when you venture slightly further: Barafundle Bay requires a scramble down the cliffs and rewards you with complete solitude. Newgale is brilliant for families - wide, safe, and far less crowded than Tenby.

Walkers will find this absolutely absorbing. The path dips and climbs constantly, offering new views every mile. History types should make for St Davids Cathedral, tucked inland but unmissable. The geology is fascinating too - you can see 300 million years of earth's timeline in the rock formations if you know what to look for.

Based near Pembroke, Pembrokeshire Meadows Camping puts you within walking distance of the action. Allow at least two days to appreciate the park properly - a rushed afternoon doesn't cut it. Spring and early autumn are ideal: fewer crowds than summer, better weather than winter. Free access to most of the coastline, though car parks and some attractions charge.