Escaping to the Welsh Coast: Sunsets, Sea Lions & Cheese Sandwiches

Last month, I pressed pause on the daily grind and hit the road with my wife Emily and our closest friends for our now-annual escape to Dinas Dinlle. For the past three years, it’s become a bit of a tradition: staying a spot just outside Caernarfon, breathing in that fresh sea air, chasing golden sunsets, and hoping (often optimistically) for a clear view of Snowdonia and the good weather at Dinas Dinlle. It’s a mini-break that always delivers on the feels.

But this year It hit differently - in the best way, as our friendship circle got a whole lot cuter last year with the arrival of our goddaughter, and this holiday marked her first trip with the gang. Cue: extra luggage, extra snacks, and extra special memories. One of the highlights: A very wet but very fun visit to the Welsh Mountain Zoo. Yes, we got drenched. Yes, it was totally worth it. We were greeted by the enthusiastic barks of the sea lions (loud, but adorable), followed by a visit to the penguins (Emily's personal faves), butterflies, flamingos and monkeys. We didn’t get to see all the animals thanks to the rain, but let’s be honest - the real star of the show was our goddaughter trying to splash in puddles and running riot on the picnic lawn. Her top three highlights were Penguins swimming past the glass, cheese sandwiches at lunch, and being chased by the grown-ups. At fifteen months, she has refined taste.

The weather played its usual Welsh card - four seasons in a day - but we struck gold with one gloriously sunny warm day. Perfect timing too, as we met up with friends who had just returned from holiday and got engaged. We marked the occasion with a sunny lunch in Caernarfon, followed by a Mr Whippy ice cream and a leisurely wander through its historic streets, dipping in and out of charming indie shops for a bit of retail therapy. By this point, the little one needed her own escape and playtime, so the group split up for a short while.

Now if you know me, you’ll know this: no holiday is complete without great coffee. Whether it’s crafting a barista-style espresso at home or hunting down a new local gem, I’m always chasing the next great brew. So naturally, I made it my mission to sample as many coffee houses in Caernarfon and the surrounding areas as possible. Later, we regrouped with the little one and her parents for a chilled evening of UNO No Mercy and drinks at the on-site clubhouse at Dinas Dinlle. There’s nothing quite like trying to outwit your friends over a deck of colourful cards after a long, sunny day.

Over the next few days, we made our way through plenty of cafés, browsed an antique emporium, and stopped for lunch at a garden centre (because what’s a UK holiday without one?), and if chips were involved, you can bet we were sharing them with the little one.

If you’ve never been to Caernarfon, you’re missing out. This town is packed with history, charm, and character - from its iconic castle to its cobbled streets, quirky shops, and yes, plenty of coffee spots. And did you know it was home to the first County Library in Wales, established in 1918. But One of the most unexpectedly delightful places the little one and her parents discovered was a converted church-turned soft play area that got a big smiles from our goddaughter. Holy fun!

Just down the road, about twenty minutes away, you’ll find Dinas Dinlle - a hidden coastal gem where the fish and chips are fresh and divine, the sunsets are stunning, and the sea seems to swallow the sun whole, as it dips below the horizon. It’s the perfect end to a mini break away.

The First County Library of Wales

Final Thought:

The little getaway reminded me how important it is to press pause, and soak up the simple things - whether that’s watching penguins with a toddler, sipping a caramel latte by the sea with friends or watching the sunset.

Sunset - Dinas Dinlle