Swtan National Trust | Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol Swtan

The cliffs at Swtan rise up without warning - one moment you're walking through scrubby coastal heath near Holyhead, the next you're standing at the edge of a proper drop with the Irish Sea sprawling beneath you. This National Trust nature reserve is all about the raw geology and the birds that nest in those sheer rock faces. You'll spot razorbills, guillemots, and if you're lucky, choughs with their distinctive red legs cutting across the grey stone.

It's a walker's place, not a sit-down-and-relax sort of spot. The trails here demand attention - the paths are narrow and the wind can be bracing even on calm days. Allow a couple of hours if you want to do it properly, less if you're just after a quick look. Spring and early summer are best for birdwatching; the cliffs are quiet and dramatic in winter.

Families with younger kids might find it underwhelming after the first twenty minutes - there's no visitor centre, no facilities to speak of, no facilities to speak of. Teenagers and serious walkers will get more from it. The reserve works well as a morning or late afternoon stop when you're camping at Pengraig or Llain Ffynnon, both within touching distance. It's the sort of place that reminds you what the Welsh coast actually looks like without the amusement arcades - which is either exactly what you want or proof you should have gone somewhere else.