I’ll never forget the drive up to our holiday spot near Llandudno – we’d packed the car to the gills with wellies, board games, and enough snacks to feed a small army, only for the satnav to chuck us down some winding back lane that turned into a proper muddy adventure. Halfway there, we got stuck behind a flock of sheep being herded by a farmer on a quad bike, and my other half started muttering about how we should’ve taken the train. But honestly, that little mishap just amped up the anticipation – we were buzzing about escaping the daily grind for a proper Welsh break.

Pulling up via the private drive and over that quirky iron bridge spanning the Elwy River felt like crossing into our own little paradise. It’s a stunning detached riverside property, perfect for us as a family couple looking to unwind with the kids in tow. The hot tub was the star of the show right from the off – steaming away under the stars that first evening, with the river gurgling below. First impressions? Magic. Peaceful Llanfairtalhaiarn wrapped us in its quiet charm, just six miles from Denbigh’s market-town buzz with its cosy eateries and quirky independent shops.

We settled into cottage life straight away, the sort of relaxed chaos that makes holidays unforgettable. Mornings kicked off with brekkie on the patio, listening to birdsong and the odd splash from otters in the river – or so we hoped. The kids dashed about the garden while we sipped tea, plotting lazy days. A quick hop to Abergele, only five miles down the road, sorted our seaside fix: Pensarn Beach’s shingle and sand were ideal for building epic castles and skim-stoning, with the Wales Coast Path tempting us for gentle strolls. We hired bikes one afternoon and pootled along the coastline, stopping for fish and chips wrapped in paper, eaten picnic-style with gritty sand between our toes. Pure bliss.

Evenings were all about simple pleasures – firing up the hot tub after a splash in the river (the water’s bracing, mind!), then rustling up a roast with local veg from Denbigh market. There was chaos aplenty: one night, the youngest tipped a bag of flour everywhere while ‘helping’ with pancakes, turning the kitchen into a snow scene. We laughed it off over board games by the fire, cosy as you like. I had a quiet moment one dusk, sat on the bridge with a cuppa, reflecting on how these unhurried days recharge the soul – no emails, no rush, just us lot making memories amid the Welsh countryside’s gentle hum.

Venturing to nearby spots kept things varied without straying far. Abergele’s golf course tempted my other half for a round, while we lot explored boat trips from the harbour, spotting seals bobbing about. Denbigh’s cafes became our haunt for cream teas and gossip with locals – proper friendly folk. Back at the property, the hot tub became ritual: bubbles, wine, and stars overhead, washing away any lingering stresses.

It was the perfect family couple’s retreat – a reminder that the best holidays are the messy, joyful ones, rooted in riverside calm and coastal jaunts. We’re already plotting a return.