Conwy sits on the north coast of Wales, less than two hours from Liverpool by car or train — and just over three hours by rail from London. Yet it remains one of the most underrated small towns in Britain, all stone walls, river views and centuries of history packed into a walkable footprint.

The star attraction is Conwy Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 1280s by King Edward I after his invasion of northern Wales. It was designed to suppress Welsh rebellion, and it did so for centuries — though the Welsh nobleman Owain Glyndŵr famously captured it in an ambush in the early 1400s before it passed back to the English crown. Today it's an atmospheric shell you can climb all over. A looping walkway runs along the ramparts, and turrets offer views over the River Conwy, the boats on the quay and the forested slopes behind town. If you're driving in from England, there's a roadside stop where the castle panorama is the welcome.

Water lovers get two for one here: the River Conwy runs along the town's eastern edge and empties into the Irish Sea, so you can wander the riverside promenade at Conwy Quay one moment and walk the sand dunes at Conwy Morfa Beach the next. The Marine Walk, a paved path beneath trees, follows the river from the quay.

The food scene punches above its weight too. The Fisherman's Chip Shop, a family-run spot with a pastel facade, does sustainable fish and chips with a loyal local following. On High Street, The Jackdaw — chef Nick Rudge's restaurant in the Michelin Guide — serves a refined tasting menu with dishes like Welsh rarebit and poached cod with roe and onions. Across the street, L's Coffee & Bookshop is the move for cinnamon rolls, scones and gluten-free options. For an overnight stay, The Castle Hotel is highly rated and within walking distance of it all.

Why it matters: Conwy is an easy, compact escape for anyone based in Liverpool, Manchester or even London, and it works as a day trip or a weekend base. Less than two hours down the road is Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) for hikers, and the Italian-flavoured resort village of Portmeirion plus the dunes of Llanddwyn Island make natural additions to a north Wales itinerary. History buffs, coastal walkers and anyone who thinks a castle plus a chippy is a perfect afternoon — this one's for you.