Narberth

Saturday morning here means queues snaking from Ultracomida's deli counter as locals stock up on Welsh cheeses and continental treats. Narberth has quietly become one of Pembrokeshire's most interesting towns, combining a proper working high street with an unexpectedly cosmopolitan food scene. The weekly market still fills Queen's Hall, but these days it sits alongside independent galleries like Pembrokeshire Studio.

Wander down the main drag and you'll find everything from vintage shops to proper cafes. It's not chocolate-box Wales - this feels like a real place where people actually live and work. The compact town centre means you can explore everything on foot in a morning, though you might find yourself lingering over lunch at one of the excellent restaurants.

St Peter's anchors the town centre, its medieval tower keeping watch over proceedings. For a proper walk, head to Black Aldern Wood or Clement's Dale Wood - both offer decent rambles without the Brecon Beacons crowds. The surrounding countryside rolls gently towards the coast, all green fields and hedgerows dotted with farm buildings.

Oakwood Theme Park draws the families, and fair play to them - it's one of Wales's biggest attractions. But the real draw is Narberth itself, a town that's managed to evolve without losing its soul.

The nearest train station sits four miles away in Clarbeston Road, though most visitors arrive by car via the A40. Using a local holiday park makes perfect sense - you're within striking distance of Pembrokeshire's coast but can retreat to somewhere properly quiet when the day trippers have gone home.