Plas Newydd National Trust Car Park

The car park at Plas Newydd gives you access to what's actually a proper nature reserve wrapped around a stately home on Anglesey's eastern shore. You're looking at woodland trails, coastal paths, and views across the Menai Strait that genuinely stop you mid-stride. It's the kind of place where you can spend twenty minutes or three hours depending on how far you fancy walking.

The reserve itself is quietly brilliant for walkers and birdwatchers. Spring and summer are best if you want to see migrating birds and nesting sites - the tidal mudflats attract waders and wildfowl that make ornithologists genuinely happy. The woodland paths are well-maintained, though some sections get muddy after rain, so proper boots worth the bother. Kids can manage the shorter loops without complaint, though there's not a great deal to actually do once they've seen the views - it's very much a walk-and-look situation rather than a play-and-explore one.

From Llanfairpwllgwyngyll (yes, that one with the ridiculous name), it's barely a hop away. If you're staying at any of the local caravan parks - Plas Coch is less than a mile off - it makes for a cracking morning or afternoon outing. Free to walk the trails, though details on seasonal restrictions or parking charges aren't clear, so ring ahead to check. Allow at least ninety minutes to actually enjoy it rather than just dash round. Best visited outside school holidays when it's less rammed with day-trippers.