Penderi Cliffs

The cliffs here rise dramatically from a pebble beach, and you get the full force of the Welsh coast the moment you crest the path. Penderi is a proper nature reserve run by Welsh Wildlife Trust, stretching between Llanrhystud and Monks Cave - so there's real walking to be done, not just a car park stroll.

What you're after depends on the season. Spring brings nesting seabirds - razorbills, guillemots, fulmars - so binoculars are essential if you're that way inclined. Summer's quieter for wildlife but kinder for walking. The coastal path itself is the main draw: dramatic drops, good views back towards Aberystwyth, and enough erosion to remind you why the Victorians found this landscape so compelling.

It's free to access, which makes it a proper bargain. Allow two to three hours if you're doing the full coastal walk between both points - longer if you're stopping to identify birds or just sitting with a flask. The paths are coastal standard: muddy when wet, a bit exposed when windy, and you'll want proper boots rather than trainers.

Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find it a bit relentless without the promise of a beach to play on. Serious walkers and birdwatchers are the real audience here. It slots perfectly into a week based at Pengarreg or Morfa Farm caravan parks - both within three miles - giving you proper wild coast without fighting the crowds of somewhere more famous.