Llandudno

The Great Orme looms magnificently over this Victorian seaside resort, its limestone headland offering some of the finest coastal views in North Wales. This isn't just another faded British seaside town - Llandudno has kept its elegance intact, with two distinct shores that couldn't be more different.

Alice in Wonderland enthusiasts will find themselves properly spoiled here. The White Rabbit and Alice galleries celebrate the town's connection to Lewis Carroll, who holidayed here with the real Alice Liddell. The Cheshire Cat gallery rounds out this literary trail that winds through the Victorian streets.

Great Orme itself is the real star. Take the tramway up (it's been running since 1902) or walk if you're feeling energetic. The Great Orme Visitor Centre explains the Bronze Age copper mines that honeycomb the headland - Parisella's Caves and Pigeon's Cave are just some of the underground wonders you can explore. Ogof Gwylan offers a different spelunking experience entirely.

Two beaches mean double the seaside pleasure. The main North Shore stretches for miles with its proper Victorian pier, while West Shore faces Anglesey and catches spectacular sunsets. It's quieter too - perfect when the main beach gets busy in summer.

Getting here couldn't be easier. Llandudno station sits right in the town centre, with direct trains from Manchester and Birmingham. The A55 brings drivers from Chester in under an hour.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to walk into town for evening meals and attractions, yet you wake up surrounded by Snowdonia's foothills and coastal paths. The North Western Gardens provide a lovely green buffer between urban bustle and countryside calm.