Llanfairfechan

Roman soldiers once marched through this valley, leaving behind milestones that still stand today - a reminder that Llanfairfechan has been a crossing point between mountains and sea for two millennia. This modest North Wales town sits where the Snowdonia foothills tumble down to the Menai Strait, creating a landscape that's both dramatic and accessible.

The peaks surrounding the town are proper walking country. Drum and Drosgl offer cracking views across to Anglesey without requiring full mountaineering kit, while the more ambitious can tackle Carnedd Y Ddelw for sweeping vistas of the Snowdonia massif. Down in the valley, Pont y Teiryd and the Roman Milestone tell stories of ancient travellers who found this route just as appealing.

Maes-y-Gaer Hillfort crowns one of the nearby summits - Iron Age folk clearly knew a good defensive position when they saw one. The archaeology here runs deep, with Castle Mound adding medieval layers to the historical mix. It's proper rambling country, with paths threading between peaks like Garreg Fawr and Pen Bryn-du.

Getting here is straightforward enough - Llanfairfechan station sits on the North Wales coast railway, connecting you to Chester and Holyhead. The A55 runs close by too, making it an easy drive from Manchester or Liverpool. Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Aberconwy Resort & Spa or Berthlwyd Hall Holiday Park puts you right in the thick of it, with mountain walks on the doorstep and the coast just a short stroll away. The town itself might not be much to write home about, but the surrounding landscape more than makes up for it.