Conwy

Medieval walls encircle this proper Welsh fortress town like a stone embrace. Conwy sits where the river meets the sea, dominated by one of Britain's finest castles and ringed by Edward I's 13th-century fortifications that you can walk along for cracking views over the Conwy Valley.

The town's character runs deep. Those towering walls aren't just for show - they've shaped how Conwy has grown for 700 years, keeping the old town compact and atmospheric. Inside, narrow streets wind between ancient buildings, while outside the walls, the modern world carries on at a more relaxed Welsh pace.

History buffs will find plenty beyond the obvious castle. The Norman Church offers a quieter glimpse into the area's past, while Bryn Castell and the Canovium Roman Fort show this valley has been strategic for millennia. For those who prefer their heritage with hiking boots, Bryn Cŵn peak provides proper hill walking with views that stretch across Snowdonia.

Surrounding forests make this area a walker's paradise. Coed Gwern, Coed Siambr Groes and half a dozen other woodland areas offer everything from gentle strolls to more serious rambles. The landscape shifts from coastal marshes to rolling hills as you head inland.

Getting here is straightforward - Tal-y-Cafn station connects you to the Chester to Holyhead line, while the A55 brings drivers from both directions. Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense when you're exploring North Wales. You're 20 minutes from Snowdonia's peaks, close to Anglesey's beaches, and right in the heart of castle country.