Swansea

Dramatic limestone cliffs plunge into pristine beaches along this rugged coastline where the Gower Peninsula meets the Bristol Channel. This corner of Wales - not England as mistakenly noted - delivers some of Britain's most spectacular coastal scenery, with North Hill Tor offering sweeping views across Carmarthen Bay.

Broughton Bay Beach stretches for miles, backed by rolling dunes that lead to the Whiteford National Nature Reserve. The walking here is absolutely superb. Prissen's Tor provides another cracking viewpoint, while the ancient Church of St Madoc in Llanmadoc village sits quietly among the Llanmadoc Hills nature reserve - proper countryside walking territory.

Llangenith village has that end-of-the-world feel, complete with its fresh water spring and the atmospheric St Cennydd's Church. The coastal path winds past old lime kilns, reminders of the area's industrial past, before reaching Whiteford Lighthouse on its sandy spit.

Getting here takes a bit of effort - the nearest train station is Llanelli, about 25 miles east. But that journey through winding country lanes is half the appeal. The area feels genuinely remote, especially out of season when you might have entire beaches to yourself.

Staying at one of the nearby parks like Gower Farm Touring & Camping Park or Pitton Cross makes perfect sense for exploring this wild corner of Gower. You're ideally placed for dawn walks to North Hill Tor or evening strolls along Broughton Bay, with Cardiff and Swansea city both within an hour's drive for supplies or rainy day alternatives.