Harlech Castle

The castle sits on a crag overlooking Cardigan Bay, and the first thing that hits you is how dramatically it's positioned - you can see why medieval builders chose this spot. Harlech Castle is a proper fortress, built by Edward I in the 1280s, all high stone walls and angular towers that haven't softened much in seven centuries.

You can walk the entire circuit of the battlements, which takes a good hour if you're not rushing. The views across the bay are genuinely striking, especially on a clear day when you can see the Snowdonia peaks in the distance. Inside, there's not masses to see - no furnishings or exhibits to speak of - but that's kind of the point. You're here for the architecture and the sense of impregnability the place still radiates.

It's brilliant for anyone interested in medieval military engineering or Welsh history. Kids will enjoy scrambling up the stone steps and playing soldiers, though they might lose interest after forty minutes once they've explored the towers. The climb up from the town is steep enough to note, and there's limited parking right at the castle, so factor that in.

If you're based at Coed y Brenin Forest Camp twelve miles away, this makes an excellent half-day trip. The drive takes about twenty minutes. Bring a windproof jacket - you're exposed up there - and proper shoes for the uneven stone. Go in the morning if you can; afternoons get crowded with tour groups during summer.