We'd been dreaming of a proper family getaway to Anglesey for ages, so when we finally piled into the car from Manchester, the kids buzzing with excitement about building sandcastles, it felt like the start of something magical. The drive over the Britannia Bridge was stunning, Menai Strait sparkling below us, but wouldn't you know it, about halfway across Anglesey, we hit a cheeky little traffic jam courtesy of a rogue sheep blocking the road. Classic Wales – even the livestock wants in on the holiday vibes. Twenty minutes of impatient foot-tapping later, we were off again, hearts lifting as the coastline came into view.

Pulling up to our ground-floor apartment in Benllech, that large coastal village with its easygoing charm, I could already feel the tension melting away. Tucked just moments from the beach, it had this fabulous spot with sea views peeking through everywhere. We parked on the driveway – plenty of room for our car and even a mate's if we'd brought one – and stepped into the neat front garden. There were seats right there for morning coffee, waves crashing in the distance. First impressions? Spot on. It screamed relaxed family haven, perfect for us lot: me, my husband, our two under-tens, and a vague plan to do bugger all but chill.

Inside, the open-plan living space was a godsend – no faffing about finding rooms in a strange house. The kitchen was kitted out brilliantly, dishwasher and washer/dryer included, so I could rustle up spag bol or fish fingers without breaking a sweat. We'd crack open a bottle of wine at the dining table for four while the kids demolished their tea, sand still in their hair from the beach dash. That first evening, we wandered straight down to Benllech Beach, just a hop away. Golden sands stretched out, the sea calm enough for paddling, and we spent hours skimming stones and hunting for crabs in rock pools. The light was that soft Welsh golden hour magic – I caught myself thinking, blimey, when did life get this simple again?

The next few days blurred into pure cottage-life chaos, the good kind. Mornings kicked off with brekkie in the garden, toasting with mugs of tea while spotting seals bobbing offshore. We'd mooch along the coastal path to nearby Traeth Bychan, that sheltered cove perfect for little ones, flying kites in the breeze or having messy picnics. Afternoons were for lazy beach lounging – buckets and spades galore, with the inevitable sand-in-everything meltdown that ends in giggles. One evening, we tried our hand at a "gourmet" barbecue on the patio (aka sausages slightly charred), washing it down with local Anglesey ice cream from the village shop. The kids ran riot chasing each other, and I had one of those quiet moments watching them: feet filthy, faces windswept, utterly content. Me? I realised I'd been glued to my phone back home – here, it was all about these unhurried joys, no schedules, just us.

Evenings wrapped up cosily inside, board games at the table, the hum of the sea lulling everyone to sleep. No grand adventures, just simple pleasures: crab fishing off the rocks, cream teas from the Benllech bakery, and that unbeatable feeling of being unplugged. Anglesey nailed it for our family – a bit of chaos, heaps of laughter, and memories that'll have us plotting a return before the sand's even out of the car seats.