I’ll never forget the drive up to Llandudno last autumn – the leaves were turning that glorious coppery gold, and I was buzzing with anticipation for a cosy getaway. Me and my other half had booked this cracking holiday apartment right in the heart of town, perfect for a couple like us wanting to soak up North Wales without the summer crowds. But typical me, about halfway there on the A55, I took a wrong turn thanks to a dodgy sat-nav signal cutting out amid the Conway Valley hills. We ended up looping through some winding lanes, laughing our heads off as the sun dipped low and painted everything in that soft, harvesty light. A small mishap, but it only ramped up the excitement – by the time we pulled up, I was proper starving and dreaming of a cuppa.

First impressions? Blimey, what a belter. The apartment’s this bright, fun spot done up to a high standard – think open-plan living with two comfy sofas plonked in front of the telly, and a kitchen kitted out enough to whip up a proper feast. We dumped our bags and cracked open a bottle of red straight away, gazing out at the twinkling promenade lights as the sea mist rolled in. Autumn in Llandudno is magic like that – not too chilly yet, but with that crisp edge that makes everything feel alive, the waves crashing under a big orange sky.

The next few days were shaped entirely by the season’s mellow vibe. Mornings started with frosty air nipping at our noses as we strolled the pier, munching hot chips from a vendor who’d clearly been frying them since dawn. No heaving queues like in summer; just us, a few dog-walkers, and the pier’s creaky old trams rattling by. We wandered up to the Great Orme – that massive headland looming over the bay – huffing a bit on the steep paths, but rewarded with panoramic views of the coastline all bronzed and blustery. The wind whipped up proper, tugging at our scarves, but it was exhilarating, not miserable. Paused for a brew in a little café up there, watching gulls wheel about against the slate-grey clouds.

Evenings were pure autumnal bliss back at the flat. After days pounding the prom or popping into town for a browse around the independent shops – picking up woolly hats and fudge that tasted like childhood – we’d collapse on those sofas. Two double bedrooms meant we could sprawl out, and the sleek shower room was a godsend for washing off the salt spray. Curled up with a film and stew simmering on the hob (that kitchen’s a dream for lazy cooks like me), reflecting on how the shortening days made us appreciate the glow of the fairy lights strung along the seafront. One night, sat there with the windows cracked open to the rhythmic sea, I had a proper moment of self-reflection – life’s too short not to chase these simple, seasonal joys, innit? No distractions, just us and the mellow Welsh autumn wrapping around like a favourite jumper.

Llandudno in leaf-fall is underrated genius – quieter, cheaper, and somehow more enchanting. If you’re after that vibe, grab a spot like this apartment and let the season do the rest. We left feeling utterly refreshed, already plotting a return for next year’s golden hour.