Llandudno

Victorian grandeur meets Welsh coastal charm in this seaside resort that never quite lost its elegant swagger. The Great Orme towers above the town like a sleeping giant, offering some of the finest views along the North Wales coast from its limestone heights. Down at sea level, the curved Victorian promenade sweeps along Llandudno Bay in a perfect crescent, unchanged since the town's heyday as a fashionable retreat.

Climbing Bryn Euryn rewards you with panoramic vistas across Colwyn Bay and the Conwy Valley - it's a proper workout but well worth the effort on a clear day. The town itself feels refreshingly unspoilt compared to other seaside resorts. No tacky amusements here, just elegant terraces and that magnificent pier stretching into the Irish Sea.

Rhos on Sea Golf Course provides a challenging round with coastal views, while the Harlequin Puppet Theatre offers something completely different for families. The Bay Gallery showcases local artists, and you can even spot the ancient Royal Chartered Ancient Fishing Weir if you know where to look.

Getting here is straightforward via Colwyn Bay station, with regular services from Manchester and London. The A55 brings drivers straight to the coast from Chester in about an hour.

Staying at one of the nearby parks like Aberconwy Resort & Spa or the various glamping sites gives you the best of both worlds - easy access to Llandudno's Victorian splendour while being perfectly positioned for exploring Snowdonia's foothills and the spectacular Conwy coastline.