The best days out for food & views in Wales - coast & country

If wild beach walks are your passion, look no further than Llansteffan.

You can catch a castle, a beach, remote Scot's Bay and head onto the cliffs beyond for incredible low tide views of swirling sandbanks all the way through to Gower.

The main beach is dog friendly from the end of September  to March 31.

Try the Inn at the Sticks  for food and vino. We love their superb array of small plates and interesting wine list. A brilliant place to wile away an afternoon with your favourite people. 

 You can also buy wines from their in-house wine shop.  SA33 5JG

We love Laugharne. Truly, madly deeply.  

It's got such a lovely feeling about it, it's easy to see its appeal. Watch out for high tides that flood the car park in spring and aututmn! 

You can mooch around the castle or take Dylan Thomas' birthday walk. 

There's two walks that give estuary views, as well as the walk above Dylan Thomas's boat shed and passed his writing shed, pictured here.

The Ferryman's Deli or Browns are both excellent eating options. SA33 4RY

Drive to colourful Aberaeron on the west coast and the excellent Harbourmaster.

Try for a seat in the restaurant which has fantastic views over the harbour. 

Walk on the beach afterwards, or heard to National Trust's Llanachaeron. 

Otherwise hang around the harbour people watching, or try your hand at crabbing. SA46 0BT

Popular New Quay is just down the road where you can take dolphin watching trips or sit on the quay and see porpoises from the shore.

If gardens are your thing, then we have two of the best  - The Botanic Gardens of Wales and Aberglasney are both just down the road. 

We recommend Wrights Shop & Kitchen.

A carafe of the good stuff with the legendary Pork Cubano.

 As a bonus you can pick up an excellent array of local food and natural wine in their shop. Or  preorder a Supper Kit for cooking at home on Friday or Saturday.

 If you don't want gardens, check out Paxton's Tower and Dryslwyn Castle  and count the meanders down the Tywi valley. Open Thurs - Sun SA32 8JU

Hike up to Fan Frynych and incorporate a circular route over to Craig Cerreg Gleisiad.

Fab views over to Pen y Fan and much quieter than its neighbours. 

Check out the oldest yew in the UK in Defynnog graveyard. 

Head down to the International Rarebit Centre, for a heritage cheese fest with a few twists. Check opening times before you go. LD3 8SL

Autumn, winter and spring are the best times to head down to waterfall country.  

Go after rainfall and you'll be treated to the full head pounding, exhilarating experience of water in full spate.

Park at Pontneddfechan, explore the trails and afterwards fill yourself up at licenced café Sgwd Gwladys SA11 5NR

Head into the wilds of the Cambrian Mountains.  Swim at the Wash Pool/ Pwll Golchi or take the trail up Cwm Gwesyn and plunge in the huge icy waterfall at the end of the valley. 

Stop and refuel in Llanwrtyd Wells at the Neuadd Arms Hotel. Extensive and good value home cooked menu. LDR 4RB

Hike to glacier lake, Llyn y Fan Fawr if it's clear or Usk Reservoir if you fancy less of an off-piste, but equally beautiful adventure. 

Head down to the Castle Coaching Inn Trecastle afterwards.  Extensive menu and we love the homemade tortillas with veggie or beef chilli. 

Wine is supplied by our favourite  Indy wine merchants, Tanners, so it's our favourite go-to local. 

Our closest  local pub. Two miles away, The Tywi Bridge Inn   in a gorgeous riverside location and Cambrian mountain views. Open just at the weekends, with a good holiday vibe going on.

Local walk is Gwenffrwdd Dinas Nature Reserve. A little patch of Celtic Rainforest and the thundering Tywi River going through a canyon with lots of swimming spots. Bliss. SA20 0PE