If you go to Aberystwyth, not far away is Machynlleth, which was the historic seat of the Welsh parliament and has the most amazingly non-chain high street (or did anyway), and nearby has the Centre for Alternative Technology, which was founded back when worrying about climate change was a very niche hippy thing to do. It also recently has become a centre for Serious Mountain Biking, for some reason, and is not too far from Cader Idris.

(My aunt has lived in the area for as long as I remember, and I went there in school holidays a LOT. I've walked up the easy bit of Cader Idris, several times, once very hungover. I've not yet made it to the top.)

If you want a little scenic place to write your heart out, I am totally going to recommend my friend's gorgeous self-catering cottage in Wales. Ingi's an artist herself and knows about having peace and beauty around you.

Skara Brae in Orkney is also amazing, for the sense of deep time, and how recognisably human-home the 5,000-year-old settlement is. I went there once 12 years ago and am determined to take the family there in the next few years. In fact, when I went, we did 7 historic sights in one day and it was exhausting but SO AWESOME. Put Orkney on your list (even if it is for visit 2)!