Llwyngwril

Stone circles and ancient burial chambers dot the hillsides around this coastal Welsh village, where medieval princes once held court. Llwyngwril sits quietly between mountain and sea, the perfect antidote to overcrowded resorts further up the coast.

St Celynnin's Church commands attention in the village centre, its weathered stones telling stories that predate the Norman Conquest. From here, the railway line threads north towards Barmouth, making this one of the most accessible spots on the Cambrian Coast. The station itself feels properly old-school - no modern nonsense, just honest Welsh railways at their finest.

Walk the footpaths leading inland and you'll quickly understand why this area attracted Bronze Age settlers. Castell y Gaer crowns a prominent hill, its earthworks still visible after two millennia. Below, the forests of Ffridd Fach and Coed Cemaes provide proper walking country, thick with oak and birch that turn spectacular come autumn.

Three peaks - Twllydarren, Foel Tŷ'r-gawen, and Craig Ty'nycornel - rise behind the village like sleeping giants. None require serious mountaineering kit, but all reward the effort with cracking views across Cardigan Bay. The historic sites at Cwm-ŷch and Pant-gwyn mark ancient settlements, reminders that people have found this spot appealing for centuries.

Getting here couldn't be easier - the train from Machynlleth takes about 20 minutes, or drive the A493 coast road. Staying at one of the nearby parks like Hendre Mynach or Graig Wen puts you within walking distance of both beach and mountain, with Barmouth just up the coast for livelier evenings.