Aberaeron

Painted houses line the harbour in sherbet colours that would make a seaside postcard jealous. This Georgian port town refuses to take itself too seriously, with its ice cream parlours and independent shops creating a properly Welsh seaside atmosphere that feels refreshingly uncommercial.

Cardigan Bay stretches endlessly westward from Aberaeron's small but perfectly formed harbour. The town's famous coloured houses - regulations demand they stay bright - create one of Wales' most photographed streetscapes. But there's substance behind the sugar-sweet facade.

Walking the coastal path north or south reveals why this stretch of Ceredigion coastline draws visitors back year after year. Dolphins frequently appear in the bay during summer months. The harbour itself hosts a small fishing fleet and pleasure boats offering mackerel fishing trips.

Inland, the Aeron Valley cuts through rolling farmland dotted with ancient churches like Henfynyw Church. It's proper countryside - the kind where you'll encounter more sheep than people on a typical afternoon stroll.

Getting here means either the A487 coastal road or winding lanes from the A482 if you're coming from inland. Cardigan lies 20 minutes south, while Aberystwyth is a half-hour drive north along the coast.

Basing yourself at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to wander down for morning coffee and evening meals, but far enough out to enjoy the countryside silence. The surrounding area offers everything from coastal walks to visits to working farms - ideal for families wanting both seaside fun and rural exploration without the summer crowds of bigger resorts.