JUST a couple of hours drive up the A470 and you can arrive at the perfect break for young families.

If you survive the constant stream of "how many more miles?" and "are we there yet?" then at the end of the road is a day-trip ideal for children and parents alike in Rhyl.

Ranging from the Ocean Beach Fun fair to Geronimo's Indoor Adventure Playground and the tropical lagoon at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre in nearby Acrefair, the options are endless.

Just a short drive away in Caernarfon is The Fun Centre, where an old church has been transformed into14,000 sq ft of giant slides, ball pools, nets and rope swings for the more energetic.

For those who enjoy the outdoors there are donkey rides all year round along the beach and promenade, and if it gets too much for the grown-ups then one of the 17 pubs scattered around the seaside town may come to the rescue.

Most of the activities are supervised and cater for kids of all ages, so should the desire for shopping or a drink come along then the excuse has been pre-prepared.

Likewise, if natural beauty is your thing then Rhyl's outstanding scenery will take your breath away with several castles, a cathedral and a miniature railway all nearby in St. Asaph and Denbigh. Admittance is reasonably priced for all the children's activities and rarely exceeds £5. Riath Al-Samarrai