I’ll never forget the drive up to Llandudno from Manchester – it was meant to be a straightforward hour and a half along the A55, but no, I took a wrong turn near Colwyn Bay and ended up in some sleepy back lane with sheep giving me the side-eye. Classic me, always relying on sat-nav but forgetting to charge my phone. Still, by the time I arrived at this cracking ground-floor cottage on the outskirts of Abergele, between Pensarn and Towyn, I was buzzing with that holiday anticipation – you know, the kind where you imagine lazy beach days and cracking sunsets along the North Wales coast.

First impressions? Spot on. It’s this bright, contemporary retreat for up to six, perfect for our little group of mates. Stepped inside to an airy open-plan living space with plush seating, a telly, and a feature fire that screamed cosy nights in. The sleek kitchen had everything we needed, plus a breakfast bar for my morning brews, and the dining area in that light-filled conservatory-style spot was just made for group chinwags over fish and chips.

But the real magic happened when we ditched the usual tourist traps and let ourselves get properly lost. Llandudno’s got its famous pier and promenade, sure, but we were after hidden gems, and boy, did stumbling around pay off. First day, we wandered off down towards Pensarn beach – not the main drag, mind, but a quiet stretch where the sand dunes hide these little paths leading to rock pools teeming with crabs. We spent hours poking about like kids, me nearly twisting an ankle on a slippery bit of seaweed. Laughed it off with a thermos of tea from the cottage kitchen.

Next mishap-turned-treasure was heading inland from Towyn, thinking we’d find a quick pub lunch. Instead, we got lost in a maze of narrow lanes and stumbled on this tucked-away spot near St George’s – a proper old-school tearoom in what looked like a converted farm outbuilding. No signs, no crowds, just the best Welsh cakes I’ve ever scoffed, served by a granny who reckoned we were the first visitors in weeks. Felt like we’d gatecrashed someone’s secret.

Evenings, we’d venture out again, parking up randomly near the coast path and letting our feet lead. One night, we found this overlooked cove just shy of Llandudno’s West Shore – wild waves crashing, seals popping up like nosy neighbours. Sat there with a picnic from the cottage, watching the stars, and I had one of those quiet moments: isn’t it daft how getting lost makes you feel found? Back at the cottage, we’d flop into those plush seats by the fire, reliving the day’s daft discoveries.

Our stay was all about those accidental finds – the empty beaches at low tide, a wildflower meadow we tripped over while “shortcutting” back from a Towyn stroll, even a hidden ice cream van in a layby that did the creamiest 99s. No itineraries, just proper serendipity. If you’re after a North Wales getaway that feels like your own little secret, this corner’s gold dust. Can’t wait to lose myself there again.