Splashaway Bay

Splashaway Bay is a water park sitting right on the edge of Pwllheli, one of those proper seaside attractions that's been keeping families entertained for years. Think slides, splash pools, and enough chlorine to strip paint - the usual suspect for a rainy Welsh afternoon. Kids under ten tend to lose their minds here; older ones find it a bit dated, if I'm honest. There's a lazy river that moves at roughly the speed of continental drift, various slides of different heights, and shallow pools for the littlest swimmers. Allow two to three hours if you're doing the full works, though most families seem satisfied with ninety minutes.

The real draw is proximity. Haven Hafan y Môr Holiday Park is literally on your doorstep - you could practically roll out of your caravan and into the wave machine. Llwyn Ffynnon and Gimblet Rock are barely three miles away, so it works brilliantly as a rainy day option when the beach won't cut it. Black Rock Sands, just up the coast, offers a proper alternative if you want actual sand and sea instead.

Don't expect anything fancy. It's functional, occasionally overcrowded during school holidays, and the changing facilities have seen better days. But it does the job: the kids splash about, you grab a coffee, everyone leaves knackered. Admission isn't free, and prices vary by season, so check ahead. Summer holidays are rammed; quieter in May or September if you're flexible.