Llandudno Junction

The railway thunders through this unassuming junction town, carrying holidaymakers west to Bangor or east to Chester. Most folk change trains here without giving it a second thought. But that's their loss - Llandudno Junction sits at the sweet spot where the Conwy valley meets the coast, with proper mountain walks just minutes from your caravan door.

Bodysgallen Spa Resort draws the well-heeled crowd, but the real treasures lie scattered across the surrounding hills. Little Orme offers cracking views without the tourist crowds of its bigger sibling. The peaks of Bryn Pydew and Bryn Maelgwyn provide decent hikes with rewarding vistas over Snowdonia's eastern edges.

Cave enthusiasts will find plenty to poke about in. Pant-y-wennol Cave and the rather dramatically named Dead Rabbit Cave both lie within easy reach. For something completely different, Bodafon Farm and Owls Trust gives kids a chance to get close to these magnificent birds of prey.

Getting here couldn't be simpler - the main railway line from London runs straight through, while the A55 dual carriageway puts you within striking distance of both Conwy Castle and the beaches of Llandudno proper. It's that rare thing: a functional transport hub that actually sits somewhere worth being.

Staying at one of the nearby parks like Aberconwy Resort & Spa or Conwy Holiday Park gives you the best of both worlds. You're close enough to nip into Conwy for a proper castle visit or down to Llandudno for fish and chips, yet far enough from the crowds to actually hear yourself think. The Conwy estuary unfolds just south of town - a lovely spot for an evening stroll when the light catches the water just right.