Ruthin

Medieval streets wind upward through this market town, where red sandstone buildings catch the morning light and the Clwydian Range rises like a green wall to the east. Ruthin feels properly Welsh - not the touristy kind, but the working sort where locals still chat in Welsh at the butcher's and the Thursday market has been running since 1310.

The real draw here isn't the town itself, though Old St Peter's Church is worth a look for its medieval stonework. It's what surrounds Ruthin that makes it special. Those hills aren't just backdrop - they're playground. Moel Gyw and Maesyrychen Mountain offer proper walks with views stretching to Snowdonia on clear days. The peaks of Cyrn y Brain and Moel y Gamelin are closer, perfect for afternoon rambles.

Viewpoints like Shotton View and Snowdon View deliver exactly what their names promise. On a crisp day, you can spot Snowdon's summit from the latter - quite something when you're standing in Denbighshire. Sir Watkin's Tower, perched on a hilltop, adds a touch of Victorian folly to the landscape.

Getting here is straightforward enough. The A525 cuts through town, connecting to the A55 coastal route in about 20 minutes. Denbigh lies just to the north, while Wrexham sits 20 miles southeast for bigger shops and train connections.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense if you're keen on exploring these hills properly. The glamping options scattered around the valley floors put you right at the foot of the walking routes, while Ruthin itself provides decent pubs for post-hike pints and shops for supplies.