Gladstone Rock

Twenty minutes up a rocky path from the car park, this towering chunk of granite stops you dead in your tracks. Gladstone Rock rises like a Welsh monument to Victorian politics - named after the four-time Prime Minister who apparently admired the view from here during his visits to North Wales. The scramble up isn't for everyone, but once you're standing beside this weathered giant, the panorama across Snowdonia makes perfect sense of why Gladstone kept coming back.

Families with older kids will love the mini-adventure aspect, though toddlers might struggle with the uneven terrain. Serious walkers often use it as a warm-up before tackling bigger peaks nearby. The rock itself is free to visit year-round, naturally enough, and you'll want to allow at least an hour for the round trip from wherever you park.

From holiday bases around Caernarfon, it's a proper detour that rewards the effort. Bryn Dinas Camping Pods and Llyn Gwynant Campsite put you closest to the action, while Beddgelert Campsite offers a lovely valley setting if you're planning multiple Snowdonia adventures. The rock works brilliantly as part of a longer walking day, or simply as a leg-stretcher between more famous attractions in the area.