Porthgain Harbour

The old harbour at Porthgain is one of those places that rewards the detour. It's a proper working village built around what was once a slate and granite quarry operation, and you can still feel that industrial heritage in the stone buildings and the rough-hewn character of the place. The harbour itself is small and working - fishing boats come and go, and there's none of that sanitised, postcardified feel you get in some Welsh coastal spots.

What you're really here for is the walk. The coastal path cuts right through, and the stretch either side is outstanding without being relentlessly strenuous. The cliffs aren't dramatic or vertiginous, but they're solid and honest, dropping to dark water with good views west towards Strumble Head. On a clear day it's the kind of place where you can actually see where you're going, which makes a change.

The village itself takes maybe half an hour to wander through properly. There's a decent pub and a couple of cafes, but don't expect much beyond that. It works best as part of a longer coastal walk rather than a destination in its own right. If you're based at Pembrokeshire Meadows Camping or Coastal Stay just down the road, it's an easy morning out. Families with older kids will enjoy the walking and the chance to spot seabirds. Younger ones might get restless if you're trying to make a day of it purely within the village.

Free to visit, obviously. Allow two to three hours if you're combining it with a decent stretch of coastal path.