Conwy

Those walls have been watching over this stretch of North Wales coast for more than 700 years. Conwy's medieval fortress sits like a stone crown above the estuary, its eight round towers still intact after centuries of Welsh weather and English siege. Walking the circuit takes about an hour, but you'll spend half that time just gawping at the views across to Anglesey.

The town proper huddles inside those famous walls - Britain's finest example of a medieval fortified settlement. Plas Mawr, the best-preserved Elizabethan townhouse in the country, shows how the other half lived once the fighting stopped. Down by the harbour, the world's smallest house squeezes into just 6 feet by 10 feet. Bit of a tourist trap, but the kids love it.

Outside the walls, things get properly scenic. Bodlondeb Woods offer decent walking without the crowds, while Deganwy across the water has that lovely promenade stretch perfect for a morning jog. Conwy Golf Club sits on prime clifftop real estate - the 7th hole might be the most photographed tee shot in Wales.

Getting here's straightforward enough. The A55 dual carriageway runs right past, and there's a proper railway station with direct services from Manchester and Birmingham. Chester's your best bet for connections from further afield.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes complete sense. You're far enough out to escape the summer coach parties but close enough to nip in for dinner at the Castle Hotel. Plus, having your own base means you can properly explore Snowdonia's eastern edges without fighting for parking every morning.