Porth Castell

The rocks at Porth Castell jut out into the sea like broken teeth, dark and dramatic against whatever sky Anglesey's throwing at you. It's a proper coastal cove just outside Holyhead, the kind of place that rewards a bit of scrambling around and poking into small caves. Nothing fancy - just weathered stone, pools of seawater, and the constant noise of waves doing their thing.

The walk down is straightforward enough, though the path's uneven in places and you'll want decent shoes. Once you're there, it's the sort of spot where you can lose an hour turning over rocks, looking for crabs and sea urchins. Kids enjoy it if they're the type to get properly absorbed in rock pooling. Adults mostly come for the views back towards Holyhead and the sense of having found something the main tourist crowds haven't bothered with.

There's no charge, no facilities, no visitor centre - it's just there for the taking. Best visited at low tide when the pools are deepest and you've got more of the beach to explore. High tide cuts things down considerably. Summer's the obvious choice, though even April or October can be decent if the weather cooperates.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Silver Bay or Anglesey Outdoors are closest at under two miles - it's an easy morning detour before heading inland. Don't expect to spend all day here. An hour or so is the sweet spot.