New Quay

Dolphins regularly surface in the clear waters off this small Welsh harbour town, turning an ordinary fishing trip into something extraordinary. Epic Fishing Trips operates from the little port, where colourful boats bob alongside the stone harbour walls that have sheltered vessels for centuries.

New Quay feels properly Welsh - conversations drift between English and Cymraeg in the pubs, and the pace is decidedly unhurried. The main street curves down to the harbour, lined with independent shops, cafés, and the odd gallery. It's not flashy, but there's something honest about the place that keeps drawing people back.

New Quay Beach stretches north of the harbour, a decent sandy stretch that gets busy on summer weekends but stays fairly peaceful midweek. The water's surprisingly clean for a working port, and you'll often spot seals lounging on the rocks at low tide. Walking the coastal path in either direction rewards you with cracking views over Cardigan Bay.

Ceredigion's countryside rolls gently inland from here - green fields divided by ancient hedgerows, with the occasional farmhouse tucked into a fold of the hills. Aberaeron sits eight miles south if you fancy exploring another harbour town, this one famous for its pastel-painted houses.

Getting here means driving - the nearest train station is Carmarthen, about 40 miles away through winding country roads. But that isolation is part of New Quay's appeal. Staying at one of the holiday parks scattered around the town puts you within easy reach of some of mid-Wales' finest coastal walking, plus you're well placed for day trips to the Cambrian Mountains or further south to Pembrokeshire's attractions.