Holyhead

The Irish Sea pounds against towering cliffs here, sending salt spray across some of Wales' most dramatic coastline. This port town on Anglesey's western edge serves as the gateway to Ireland, but don't rush straight to the ferry - the surrounding landscape rewards proper exploration.

South Stack Lighthouse commands the clifftops like a Victorian sentinel, its white tower perched on a rocky island connected by a footbridge that'll test your nerve. The views from South Stack Lighthouse Viewpoint stretch across to Ireland on clear days. Below, thousands of seabirds nest on the ledges - RSPB Cymru Ynys Lawd protects this crucial habitat where puffins, guillemots and razorbills raise their young.

Climbing Mynydd Twr feels like reaching the edge of the world. At 220 metres, it's hardly Snowdon, but the Bronze Age remains of Caer y Twr Hillfort crown its summit, and the 360-degree views take in the entire Anglesey coastline. The ancient Tŷ Mawr Hut Circles scattered across the hillsides remind you that people have worked this windswept land for millennia.

Parliament House Cave offers shelter when the weather turns, though getting there involves a bit of scrambling down the cliff path. The Telegraph Signal Station marks where Victorian technology once connected this remote outpost to the wider world.

Holyhead sits about 25 miles from Bangor via the A55, making it easily accessible by car. Staying at one of the nearby parks puts you within walking distance of some of Britain's finest coastal scenery, with the added bonus of ferry connections to Dublin if you fancy a quick Irish adventure.