Tenby

Medieval walls still circle this seaside stunner, their honey-coloured stone gleaming against the Atlantic backdrop. Tenby proper feels like stepping into a postcard - pastel-painted houses tumble down to one of Wales' finest harbours, while the old town retains that proper fortress atmosphere that made it such a strategic prize centuries ago.

The beaches here are absolutely cracking. Skrinkle Haven Beach offers a quieter stretch of sand when the main strands get busy, though you'll need to time your visit with the tides. Back in town, St Florentius stands as a testament to Tenby's medieval importance, its tower visible from miles out at sea.

Curious types should hunt down the Church Doors - not what you'd expect from the name, but fascinating sea caves that reveal themselves at low tide. Manor House Leisure Park provides a gentler day out with the family, while Tenby's Great Escape adds a touch of modern entertainment to balance all that history.

Reaching Tenby means a proper journey for most - it's a good hour and a half from Cardiff, longer from anywhere else. But that remoteness is half the appeal. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path stretches in both directions, offering some of Britain's most dramatic clifftop walking.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You get the best of both worlds - easy access to Tenby's restaurants and attractions during the day, then back to your own space when the day trippers head home. The surrounding countryside is dotted with everything from traditional campsites to luxury glamping pods, giving you a proper base for exploring this magnificent stretch of Welsh coast.