Porthcawl

The salt air hits you before you even see the sea. This is proper Welsh seaside territory, where families have been coming for generations and the funfair still draws crowds every summer. Porthcawl sits on a rocky outcrop that juts into the Bristol Channel, offering some of the best surfing in South Wales alongside traditional bucket-and-spade holidays.

Rest Bay draws the serious wave riders, while the main beach keeps the families happy with its Blue Flag status. The seafront promenade stretches for miles, dotted with cafes and the kind of shops that sell inflatable dolphins and sticks of rock. Elvis Festival in September turns the whole place barmy for a weekend.

Beyond the town limits, this stretch of the Welsh coast serves up some proper gems. Kenfig National Nature Reserve protects ancient sand dunes and a mysterious medieval town buried beneath them - quite the story. Ogmore Castle sits dramatically on the riverbank, while Dunraven Castle offers clifftop walks with views across to Somerset on clear days.

Margam Country Park sprawls across 850 acres just inland, combining deer herds with adventure playgrounds and the impressive Margam Castle. For something completely different, Wiggleys Fun Farm keeps the kids entertained with animal encounters and indoor play areas.

Trains run regularly from Cardiff via Bridgend, making this an easy escape from the capital. The M4 delivers you within an hour from most of South Wales. Staying at nearby Trecco Bay Holiday Park puts you right in the thick of it, while the seafront accommodation gets booked solid in summer. Booking ahead is essential if you're planning a July visit.