I’ll never forget the drive up to Prestatyn last autumn – that golden stretch of October when the North Wales coast feels like it’s putting on its best show just for you. We’d piled into the car from Manchester, kids buzzing in the back with crisps and iPads, me navigating via a dodgy sat-nav that decided halfway through to send us on a scenic detour through some winding lanes near Rhyl. Cue a minor panic when we hit a massive puddle from the morning’s drizzle, splashing the windscreen like we’d driven through a car wash. Laughed it off, though – nothing kills holiday vibes like a bit of chaos, right?

By the time we rolled up mid-afternoon, the anticipation was electric. The sun was peeking through those big, moody clouds typical of the season, casting a soft glow over everything. First impressions? Blown away. This detached holiday home was a gem, tucked a stone’s throw from the beach – 88 metres, if you’re counting – with safe, secure access straight from the rear garden. Perfect for a family like ours, eight of us squeezing in comfortably. It had that cosy, lived-in feel you crave when the Welsh weather turns nippy, all welcoming and ready for hunkering down.

Autumn shaped every minute of our stay, turning what could’ve been a standard beach break into something magical. Days were crisp, with that fresh sea breeze whipping off the Irish Sea, leaves swirling in rusty reds and golds along Prestatyn’s promenade. We’d bundle up in scarves and wellies for morning walks on the vast, empty sands – no summer crowds, just us, the dogs, and the waves crashing under a huge sky. One afternoon, we hit Nova Centre, just down the road, for some indoor fun: arcade games and mini-golf under the lights, a godsend when the rain pattered down. The kids loved it, faces lit up like it was Christmas come early.

Evenings were the real highlight, all thanks to the time of year. That private rear garden led to “The Beach Shack” – a brilliant outdoor cinema and games room they’d built recently. Picture this: projector flickering with family films on a massive screen, us snuggled on the luxury sofa with blankets, hot chocolate steaming, while retro games (over 20,000 of them!) kept the little ones occupied. The autumn chill made it perfect – no sweltering heat, just that inviting glow from the setup, stars popping out overhead as the night drew in. We binged E.T. one night, laughing at the cheesy bits, and I caught myself thinking how these simple setups beat any posh cinema.

We ventured a bit further on foot to Prestatyn’s high street for fish and chips wrapped in paper, eaten on benches overlooking the dunes – proper seasonal comfort food when the air’s got that bite. One gentle stroll at sunset, watching the light fade over the bay, had me reflecting on how holidays like this recharge you. Amid the family mayhem, there’s a quiet moment where you realise it’s not about grand adventures, but these cosy, weather-kissed pockets of joy. North Wales in autumn? It’s got my heart. We’re already plotting a return.