Tenby

Medieval walls wrap around pastel houses like a protective embrace, their pale blues and pinks catching the salt breeze off Carmarthen Bay. This Welsh seaside town wears its history lightly - those 13th-century fortifications feel more like a friendly hug than fortress barriers. The harbour curves below the old town, where fishing boats bob alongside pleasure craft and the tide reveals golden sand twice a day.

South Beach stretches for miles when the water retreats. Proper bucket-and-spade territory this, with rock pools and caves to explore at low tide. The Victorian pier isn't much to write home about, but the views across to Caldey Island more than make up for it. St Lawrence's Church sits quietly above the town, while a short train ride from Penally station brings you right into the heart of things.

Beyond the town walls, Pembrokeshire's coastal drama unfolds. Kiln Park nature reserve offers gentler walking than the cliff-top paths further west, though the serious hikers will want to tackle sections of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. St. Nicholas & St. Teilo Church over in Penally is worth the detour - older than Tenby's walls and far more atmospheric.

Getting here couldn't be simpler. The train from Swansea takes just over an hour, dropping you at Tenby station right by the harbour. Staying at one of the holiday parks scattered around the area gives you the best of both worlds - seaside mornings in town, then back to your pitch for evening barbecues. Haven Kiln Park Holiday Centre and Saltern Holiday Park both put you within striking distance of the beaches, while the glamping options like Quarry Wood offer something a bit more luxurious after long days exploring those medieval streets.