South Stack Lighthouse

The walk down to South Stack Lighthouse is steeper than you'd think, and that's rather the point. Perched on a rocky outcrop off the coast near Holyhead, this red and white striped tower commands views across the Irish Sea that honestly justify the effort - even if your legs complain on the way back up.

You're looking at roughly 400 steps down a metal staircase bolted into the cliff face. Not for the unsteady or anyone with vertigo, but the reward is proper coastal drama. The lighthouse itself still operates, so you won't get inside, but the surrounding rocks are where the real appeal sits. On a clear day the views stretch for miles. Birdwatchers get genuinely excited here - razorbills, guillemots and puffins nest on the adjacent cliffs in spring and early summer, which changes the whole character of a visit.

Allow an hour minimum, more if you're photographing or lingering. The wind can be wicked up there, so dress for it. Free to visit, no admission charge, though facilities are basic - there's a small visitor centre at the top with the essentials.

If you're based at Coastal Pods or Two Peas in a Pod nearby, this is a solid morning's outing. It's not a sit-around-and-relax kind of place, but families who don't mind a proper walk and aren't bothered by heights will remember it. Solo walkers and twitchers absolutely should make the trip. Best avoided in thick fog when the whole point - those views - vanishes entirely.