Aberystwyth

Victorian seafront terraces tumble down to Cardigan Bay, where university students dodge seagulls on the promenade. This is Wales, not England as sometimes mistakenly labelled - a proper Welsh town where the language flows as freely as the River Rheidol.

Aberystwyth wears its dual identity well. Term time brings energy and late-night chip shops. Summer sees families claiming patches of the shingle beach while the Constitution Hill cliff railway chugs tourists to panoramic views. The town's Victorian pier stretches into surprisingly blue waters when the weather behaves.

Head inland and you'll find why staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre offers red kite feeding sessions that'll have you craning your neck as these magnificent birds swoop overhead. The surrounding Cambrian Mountains provide proper walking country - tackle Y Garn or Bryn Glas for views that stretch to Snowdonia on clear days.

Llyn Blaenmelindwr sits in a glacial hollow, perfect for wild swimming if you're brave enough. More sedate is Nant-y-Moch Reservoir, where the water reflects whatever mood the Welsh sky decides to throw at you. Stone Circle and Round Cairns at Hirnant remind you this landscape has drawn people for millennia.

The A44 brings you straight into town from the Midlands, though the final stretch over the mountains feels wonderfully remote. Train connections via Shrewsbury work too, dropping you right by the seafront. Staying at Clarach Bay Holiday Village or one of the glamping spots means you can explore both coast and mountains without the university town parking headaches. Plus, you'll sleep better without student parties next door.