Capel y Beirdd

The tiny chapel at Capel y Beirdd sits quietly near Pwllheli, a place that matters far more to Welsh culture than its modest exterior might suggest. This is where the poets gathered - the name means 'Chapel of the Bards' - and it holds genuine significance in Welsh literary history. The building itself is simple, whitewashed stone with that particular kind of stillness you find in working chapels that haven't been tarted up for tourists.

It's worth a detour if you're into Welsh heritage and don't mind the fact that there won't be much to do here beyond a respectful look around and perhaps a quiet sit inside. This isn't somewhere you'll spend hours. Twenty minutes, maybe thirty if you're the contemplative type. The real appeal lies in understanding what it represents rather than what it displays.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks dotted around the Pwllheli area - Hafan y Môr, Black Rock Sands, or any of the others within five miles - it makes a sensible afternoon stop. The surrounding coastline and beaches are the main draw for that stretch of Gwynedd anyway, so combining a quick chapel visit with a proper walk on the sands works well.

Check locally in Pwllheli before you go. Opening hours aren't widely advertised, and as with many small Welsh chapels, access can be irregular. Worth ringing ahead or asking at your holiday park - locals will know whether it's open that day.