Canolfan y Dechnoleg Amgen / Centre for Alternative Technology

The Centre for Alternative Technology sits in a converted slate quarry near Machynlleth, and it's genuinely one of those places that makes you think differently about how we live. Walking around, you're looking at working examples of renewable energy, sustainable building methods, and water systems that actually function - not some sanitised museum version, but real installations you can see doing their job.

You'll spend a good two to three hours here if you're taking it seriously. There's a funicular railway up the hillside (bit of a novelty, that), then various pavilions showcasing everything from wind turbines to composting toilets to organic gardens. Some of it feels properly outdated now - the 1970s ethos comes through - but that's oddly refreshing when you're drowning in greenwashing.

Families with older kids will get more from it than toddlers. School groups love the hands-on stuff. If you're into environmental design or building science, you'll find yourself lingering. If you're after a quick "ooh, solar panels" visit, you'll be done in ninety minutes.

Being out here in the Powys countryside, it works well alongside a stay at Gwerniago Campsite just down the road. Combine it with walks around Machynlleth or the Dyfi Valley for a proper low-impact break. Admission isn't cheap and neither is parking, but if sustainability fascinates you rather than bores you, it's worth the spend.