Pwllheli

Steam still puffs along the Cambrian Coast Railway into Pwllheli station, marking this Welsh seaside town as the proper end of the line. The terminus brings a certain finality that suits Pwllheli's role as Gwynedd's westernmost resort - beyond here lies only the Llŷn Peninsula's wild edges and the Irish Sea.

This isn't your typical bucket-and-spade destination. Yes, there's a decent beach and the obligatory seafront cafes, but Pwllheli feels more workmanlike than touristy. Local life revolves around Neuadd Dwyfor arts centre and the marina, where sailing folk outnumber day-trippers most weeks. The town centre can feel a bit quiet midweek, but that's part of its appeal - no crowds fighting for fish and chips.

Pwllheli Golf Course stretches along the coast with proper sea views, though the wind can make scoring tricky. Art lovers should seek out Fish Tail and Fish Head galleries for local works that capture this peninsula's moody character. The surrounding landscape is all rolling farmland punctuated by ancient chapels like Capel Salem - Wales at its most peaceful.

Getting here means following the A499 from Porthmadog or catching that scenic railway from Machynlleth. It's a fair trek from anywhere major, but that isolation is exactly why staying at one of the nearby holiday parks works so well. You're perfectly placed for exploring the entire Llŷn Peninsula without the daily drive, plus you can walk to Pwllheli's pubs for proper Welsh hospitality after long days on empty beaches.