Penderyn Distillery

You'll find yourself in rural North Wales, a fair drive inland from Llandudno's seafront chaos, and that's rather the point. Penderyn Distillery produces proper Welsh whisky - a relatively recent venture that's genuinely worth stopping for if you're touring the area. The distillery sits in a converted Victorian farmhouse, which gives it a proper working feel rather than a polished visitor attraction vibe. Tours take you through the production process, from the copper stills to the maturation warehouse. You get to see how they're creating something distinctly Welsh, and the staff actually seem to know what they're talking about. The tasting at the end is where it gets interesting - single malts and their blended offering. Not cheap to buy, mind you, but the quality's legitimate. Reckon on two hours minimum for a proper visit including the tour and a dram or two. Free admission doesn't happen here, but prices are reasonable for what you get. Best visited midweek if possible; weekends get rammed with coach tours from Llandudno. Bit of a detour from the main tourist trail, which is exactly why you should go. If you're staying at Wern Farm Caravan Park just down the road, this makes a cracking afternoon out without driving far. Combine it with a walk in the Conwy Valley and you've got a decent day sorted. Winter's quieter if you prefer that, though the roads up here can turn dodgy. Phone ahead to book a tour slot - they don't do drop-ins.