Ogof Defaid

Two torches and proper walking boots are absolutely essential for this wild cave system near Llandudno. Ogof Defaid translates as 'Sheep Cave' and it's proper caving territory - no guided tours, no safety barriers, just you and the limestone formations carved out over millennia.

Serious cavers and adventurous families with older children will get the most from this underground experience. The entrance can be tricky to spot, tucked away in the Conwy countryside, but that's half the appeal. Once inside, you'll find chambers and passages that require some scrambling and crawling. It's not for claustrophobics or anyone expecting a gentle tourist cave.

Allow at least two hours if you're planning to explore properly, though you could easily spend longer mapping the various routes. Weather doesn't matter much once you're underground, but wet conditions can make the entrance more slippery.

This works brilliantly as a rainy day alternative if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Hafan y Gogarth or Aberconwy Resort. Fair warning though - you'll come out muddy and exhilarated rather than pristine. The whole experience feels properly Welsh and wild, a world away from the more sanitised attractions around Llandudno. Just make sure someone knows where you've gone - mobile signal is non-existent down there.