I’ll never forget the drive down to Saundersfoot last August – proper summer holiday vibes, sun blasting through the car windows, but of course, I managed to cock up the satnav by punching in the postcode wrong. Ended up looping around some narrow Pembrokeshire lanes for an extra half hour, swearing under my breath as tractors hogged the road. Still, by the time we finally spotted the signs for the village, the anticipation was buzzing – windows down, sea air whipping in, dreaming of sandy toes and fish and chips.

Pulling up to our single-storey self-catering place felt like striking gold. It’s this newly refurbished gem, all modern and chic inside, tucked away in the quietest spot yet just a daft stroll from Saundersfoot’s harbour. First impressions? Spot on. We dumped the bags and cracked open the bifold doors to a garden humming with bees, the summer warmth wrapping around us like a hug. No creaky stairs or dated tat – just crisp linens, a telly bigger than my lounge at home, and a kitchen kitted out for lazy brekkies. Perfect for us lot, especially with the kids charging about.

That summer sun shaped everything, didn’t it? Mornings kicked off with beachcombing on Saundersfoot’s golden sands, the tide so low you could paddle out miles without getting your knees wet. We’d grab pasties from one of the harbour shops – salty, steaming, devoured on the pebbles while seals bobbed about offshore. Afternoons were for hiring kayaks from the beach, slicing through glassy water that shimmered like it was Photoshopped. The heat meant long, lazy swims; none of that bracing dip you get in autumn. Evenings? Pub crawls along the front, al fresco pints at places like the Mermaid, live music drifting on the warm breeze, fairy lights twinkling as the sun dipped behind Caldey Island.

One highlight was a pony trek along the coastal path – summer’s lush greens made it magic, wildflowers everywhere, the horses plodding past Tenby’s castle walls glowing orange in the evening light. We even squeezed in a boat trip from the harbour, spotting dolphins leaping in the bay, their fins slicing the calm summer sea. Golf at one of the local courses was a laugh too; I duffed more shots than I care to admit, but the sea views and that balmy air made up for my rubbish swing.

Mind you, it wasn’t all Instagram-perfect. One scorching afternoon, the kids turned feral in the garden paddling pool, splashing me mid-book, and I had a proper moment of self-reflection sprawled on a lounger: when did I get so knackered chasing them around? Holidays like this remind you to slow down, soak it in – the endless blue skies, the ice cream van’s jingle calling us back to the beach every hour. No wonder Pembrokeshire in summer feels like stealing time.

By week’s end, we were bronzed, blissed out, and already plotting a return. If you’re after that proper summer escape – harbour sunsets, adventure on tap, and a chic pad to crash – Saundersfoot’s your spot. Can’t recommend it enough.