I’ll never forget the drive up to Llandudno last October half-term – the kids in the back bickering over crisps, and me taking a wrong turn at the Colwyn Bay roundabout because the sat-nav decided to have a mid-journey sulk. We ended up looping through some narrow lanes with sheep eyeing us suspiciously, but honestly, it just built the anticipation. By the time we crested the hill and spotted the sea glittering under that crisp autumn sun, I was buzzing. Conway’s coastline in late autumn has this magical pull – all golden light and bracing breezes that make you feel alive.

Pulling up to our ground-floor apartment right in the heart of Llandudno, I had one of those “this is perfect” moments. It’s the sort of place that whispers old-school elegance with its encaustic tiled floors, original artwork on the walls, those soaring ceilings, sash windows letting in floods of light, fancy coving, and chandeliers that sparkle like they’re plotting a party. Period charm meets modern comforts – think fluffy towels, a telly bigger than our living room one at home, and a kitchen kitted out for lazy fry-ups. We’d brought our two small dogs (for a cheeky extra fee, mind), and they went straight for the rug, tails wagging like they’d won the lottery. Off-road parking was a godsend after the sat-nav fiasco, and there was even free on-street space for the other car.

That first afternoon, with the October chill nipping at our heels, we wandered out to the promenade. Llandudno in autumn is a dream – the pier wrapped in sea mist, but the sun breaking through just enough to warm your face. We grabbed fish and chips from a stall, the batter extra crispy against the salty wind, and watched the waves crash on the pebbly beach. The Great Orme loomed like a sleepy giant, its cable cars swaying gently; we skipped those for a brisk cliff-top walk instead, crunching through fallen leaves and spotting seals bobbing offshore. The season made it – no summer crowds, just locals strolling dogs and that fresh, ozone tang in the air.

Evenings were pure hygge. Back at the apartment, we’d light the fire (well, the electric one – safety first) and tuck into homemade shepherd’s pie, the dogs snoring at our feet. One night, we ambled to the high street for a pint at a cosy pub, fairy lights twinkling early against the darkening sky. The next day, a short hop to Conway Castle – those medieval walls glowing amber in the low sun, and the river estuary all silvery with the tide out. I had a quiet moment there, leaning on a battlement, thinking how this time of year strips holidays back to basics: no faff, just family, sea air, and a bit of history soaking in.

Of course, I overpacked jumpers – classic me, always prepping for an Arctic blast that never quite arrives. But that’s the joy of an autumn getaway here; it’s invigorating without being miserable. The dogs loved chasing conkers in the castle grounds, the kids built epic pebble towers on West Shore beach, and I came home feeling properly recharged. If you’re after a coastal bolt-hole that hugs the season’s best bits, Llandudno in October is spot on. We’re already plotting a return.