Haverfordwest

This county town sits like a weathered Welsh fortress above the Western Cleddau river, all narrow Georgian streets and proper stone buildings that have watched centuries roll by. The castle ruins still loom over the high street, though these days it's more likely you'll find shoppers picking up groceries than medieval knights clanking about.

Haverfordwest works as a brilliant base for exploring Pembrokeshire's wilder corners. Drive twenty minutes west and you'll hit the coastal path at Porthsychan Bay, where the Atlantic crashes against dramatic cliffs. The walk up to Garn Fawr gives cracking views across the peninsula - well worth the climb on a clear day.

Cors Llangloffan brings a different flavour entirely. This ancient fen stretches for miles, home to rare butterflies and birds you won't spot anywhere else in Wales. The boardwalk through Llangloffan Fen National Nature Reserve makes for proper peaceful walking, especially midweek when you'll likely have it to yourself.

For something completely different, Melin Tregwynt showcases traditional Welsh weaving in a working mill that's been at it for centuries. The woolens are lovely, though not cheap.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A40 runs straight through town, and there's a decent train service from Cardiff. The surrounding countryside rolls away in all directions, dotted with ancient churches like St. Cwrda and St. Nicholas's that hint at this area's deep roots.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into town for supplies or a proper meal, yet surrounded by some of Pembrokeshire's most unspoiled landscape. Celtic Camping offers both camping and bunkhouse options, while Newgale Campsite puts you right by the coast.