Castell Newydd Emlyn

The river Teifi curves sharply below a crumbling stone fortress that's been falling down for seven hundred years - and somehow that's precisely what makes Castell Newydd Emlyn so compelling. What remains are the outer walls of a medieval castle that once controlled this stretch of valley, built by the Norman-Welsh dynasty and besieged more times than anyone's bothered to count. You can walk the perimeter, poke around the ruins, and get a genuine sense of strategic positioning - the river bend meant nobody sneaked up unannounced.

It's free to access and takes perhaps 45 minutes to an hour unless you're the type who sits on walls contemplating history. The site's unmanned, so go when you want. Families with older kids who aren't bored stiff by old walls will find it worthwhile. Walkers should definitely factor it in - Llandysul sits just three miles away, and the riverside path here is lovely.

The Teifi Valley isn't exactly crowded, which is rather the point. If you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots - The Hiveaway's closest at 3.6 miles, or Wild Wellingtons if you fancy something more cushioned - Castell Newydd Emlyn makes an easy half-day excursion. The castle doesn't demand much, but it rewards paying attention. Bring a camera for the river views, and don't expect a gift shop. You get what you see: honest ruins in a proper Welsh setting.