Pedalo Hire

You'll spot them lined up on the beach at Pwllheli - those cheerful pedalos waiting to be conquered. It's one of those seaside activities that sounds ridiculous until you're actually pedalling across the water, at which point it becomes oddly brilliant. The Cardigan Bay waters here are surprisingly calm on decent days, and you get a proper perspective on the coastline that you simply don't get from the shore.

Families with older kids will have the most fun. Young children might find the pedalling tiring after twenty minutes, but teenagers and adults who fancy a gentle workout without the commitment of a kayak should absolutely have a go. The activity works best on calmer, warmer days - turning up mid-drizzle would be grim.

If you're staying at Haven Hafan y Môr, which sits just along the beach, this is a five-minute walk away and a logical way to fill a couple of hours. Gimblet Rock and Llwyn Ffynnon are nearby if you want pedalo activities as a break from park entertainment.

The hire is seasonal and weather-dependent, so ring ahead or check at the seafront when you arrive. Expect to pay around the standard rate for seaside water-sports hire. Allow 45 minutes to an hour, including the briefing. It won't change your life, but on a sunny afternoon it's the sort of thing that makes a holiday feel properly different from home.