Llanarth

Rolling hills sweep down to the Cardigan Bay coastline here, where this quiet Welsh village sits comfortably between the market town of Lampeter and the seaside resort of New Quay. Llanarth feels properly rural - the kind of place where you'll hear more Welsh spoken in the local shop than English, and tractors still have right of way on the narrow lanes.

St David Church anchors the village centre, its weathered stone walls telling centuries of local history. The surrounding countryside is dotted with working farms and ancient woodlands like Allt Cefn-maes-llan, where footpaths wind through oak and ash trees that have stood since before the Normans arrived.

Cardigan Bay stretches endlessly westward from here. New Quay's harbour and dolphin-watching boats are just a 15-minute drive away, while the Victorian seaside charm of Aberaeron lies equally close to the north. Both coastal towns offer proper fish and chips if you fancy a change from pub grub.

Getting here means navigating the A487 coast road or cutting inland via smaller routes from Lampeter. The nearest train station is at Carmarthen, about 45 minutes by car. It's proper Welsh countryside - no rushing about, just green fields and the occasional red kite circling overhead.

Staying at one of the holiday parks scattered around the area gives you the best of both worlds. You're close enough to nip down to the coast for a day out, yet far enough inland to enjoy the peace of rural Ceredigion. The coastline here remains relatively unspoilt compared to busier stretches further south.