Abergele

Beyond the caravan-dotted coastline lies a proper Welsh market town that's managed to keep most of the touristy frippery at bay. Abergele sits comfortably between the mountains and the sea, with the dramatic peaks of Snowdonia rising to the south and Colwyn Bay's pebble beaches just minutes to the north.

The town centre feels refreshingly authentic - a place where locals actually shop rather than somewhere tarted up for day-trippers. You'll find decent cafes and the odd antique shop, but this isn't Betws-y-Coed levels of tourism. It's better for it.

Fairy Glen provides the area's most Instagram-worthy moment, though you'll need proper walking boots to navigate the rocky paths down to the waterfall. More accessible is Mynydd Marian, where the local nature reserve offers cracking views across the Vale of Clwyd without too much of a slog. The peak itself is worth the extra effort if you're feeling energetic.

Old Colwyn, practically joined to Abergele, brings you closer to the coast. The Boating Pond makes for a gentle afternoon with kids, while St John the Baptist's Church sits solid and weathered above the village. Wynn Gardens Park offers proper green space when you need a break from beach time.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A55 runs right past, and it's barely ten minutes from Colwyn Bay if you're arriving by train. Several holiday parks dot the surrounding countryside, from Golden Sands Holiday Park near the coast to Bron-y-Wendon Holiday Park tucked inland. They make sensible bases for exploring both the Conwy valley and the north Wales coast without the premium prices of Llandudno.