Kilgetty

Coal trains once thundered through this small Pembrokeshire railway village, and the old station building still stands as a reminder of busier times. These days Kilgetty moves at a gentler pace - a proper Welsh market town that sits quietly between the tourist magnets of Tenby and Saundersfoot without the summer crowds.

The village radiates from the main road through its centre, with stone cottages and newer housing spreading up the gentle hillsides. It's the sort of place where you'll find locals chatting outside the shops on a Thursday morning, but midweek can feel wonderfully sleepy. The Church of St Mary anchors one end of the village - a solid Victorian structure that replaced an earlier medieval church.

Most visitors use Kilgetty as a base rather than a destination. Fair enough. Saundersfoot's harbour and beaches lie just three miles east, while the Georgian elegance of Tenby sits five miles southeast. The Pembrokeshire coast here offers some of Wales' finest stretches - dramatic cliffs, sheltered coves, and that particular quality of light you only get beside the Celtic Sea.

Families often make a beeline for nearby Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, one of Wales' top attractions that's practically on the doorstep. The Kilgetty Community Garden provides a quieter alternative - a lovely spot that locals have developed into something genuinely special.

Getting here is straightforward enough. The A477 runs right through the village, connecting to the M4 at Carmarthen. Saundersfoot railway station, three miles away, offers direct trains to Swansea and Cardiff. Staying at one of the holiday parks around Kilgetty puts you within striking distance of Pembrokeshire's coastal highlights while keeping accommodation costs sensible - and you'll sleep better than anywhere in the busy resorts.