Pwllheli

The sandy beaches stretch for miles along this part of the Llŷn Peninsula, but it's the working harbour that gives Pwllheli its real character. Fishing boats bob alongside pleasure craft, while the Victorian railway terminus reminds you this was once the end of the line for holidaymakers heading west.

Porth Neigwl - Hell's Mouth to English speakers - delivers some of the most dramatic surf in Wales when the wind's up. The four-mile sweep of sand can be wild and wonderful, though families often prefer the calmer waters closer to town. National Trust's Plas yn Rhiw sits pretty on the hillside, its gardens overlooking Cardigan Bay with views that stretch to Snowdonia on clear days.

Church enthusiasts will find plenty to explore. St Beuno's anchors the town centre, while the peninsula's scattered chapels like Capel Nebo and Eglwys Llandegwning tell stories of Welsh nonconformism. Mynydd Rhiw offers proper hiking if you fancy working up an appetite.

Getting here couldn't be simpler - the railway from Machynlleth terminates right in town, making it one of the most accessible spots on the peninsula without a car. The A499 brings drivers straight down from Caernarfon in about 40 minutes.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring the wider peninsula. You're well-positioned for day trips to Aberdaron and the tip of Llŷn, yet close enough to nip into town for fish and chips or a proper pint when the mood takes you.