I’ll never forget the drive down to our holiday spot on the westerly edge of Pembrokeshire – sat nav on, windows down, everyone singing along to some terrible 90s playlist. But about an hour in, disaster struck: I took a wrong turn onto one of those narrow lanes that twist like a drunk snake, and we ended up wedged between a hedge and a sheep that looked as baffled as we were. Twenty minutes of reversing (with my other half yelling directions from Google Maps) later, we were back on track, laughing about it over emergency pasties from a roadside van. By the time we pulled up, hearts racing with that proper holiday buzz, the place blew us away. This characterful seven-bedroom family home, tucked away on the outskirts of St Davids, felt like a hug from the coast itself – spacious, welcoming, with a jaw-dropping view over the sea towards the lifeboat station. We piled out, unpacked in a frenzy, and cracked open a bottle in the massive lawned garden, toasting to no more wrong turns.

What I loved most about the week was how it turned us into accidental explorers, stumbling on hidden gems you’d never find on the tourist trail. The property’s position is perfect for that – right on the doorstep of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, but we ditched the obvious routes and just wandered off, getting gloriously lost. One morning, after rustling up brekkie in the huge kitchen-diner, we headed out with the dogs and ended up on a forgotten cove just a short scramble away. No crowds, just seals barking at us from the rocks and waves crashing like they were auditioning for a wildlife doc. We picnicked there till our noses went pink, feeling like we’d nicked a secret from the map.

Another day, aiming for a quick dog walk, we veered off-path and discovered this tucked-away headland with puffins nesting in the cliffs – proper off-the-beaten-track magic, the kind of spot locals probably keep quiet about. The kids splashed in the outdoor swim spa that evening, giggling about our “expedition,” while we sipped wine by the fire in the sitting room, watching the sunset paint the sea gold. I had a quiet moment there, staring out at the view, thinking how these unplanned detours beat any itinerary. Work stress? What work stress? Just us, the coast, and a bit of happy chaos.

Evenings were for firing up the electric fire in the dining room after a massive group feast, then piling into one of the plush super-kings for a kip. The quirky extra pods – pink one, log cabin vibe, and that roundhouse – gave the teens their own space, which kept the peace. We did pop into St Davids once, just a couple of miles away, for a pint and pie at The Farmers Arms, but mostly stayed local, chasing those serendipitous finds. One rainy afternoon, we got lost again (shocker) and stumbled on a tiny beach with the clearest rock pools – crabs scuttling about like they owned the place. Rewarded ourselves with fish and chips from a shed in Porthgain, not far along the path, devoured on a bench with sandy toes.

It was one of those holidays that sneaks up on you – no grand plans, just the joy of getting lost in paradise. If you’re after a fuss-free escape with space for a crowd (and well-behaved hounds), this Pembrokeshire gem delivers. Can’t wait to go back and lose ourselves all over again.