Owain Glyndŵr

The ruins of Owain Glyndŵr's stronghold sit high above the Dee Valley, about four miles south of Ruthin, and they're honestly a bit of a pilgrimage for Welsh history enthusiasts. What you're actually visiting is a motte-and-bailey castle - so expect earthwork remains rather than dramatic stonework. The viewing platform gives proper views across Denbighshire, and on a clear day you can see why he'd have chosen this spot to make his stand against English rule in the early 1400s.

It's free to visit, accessible by car or a decent walk from Ruthin town centre, and takes roughly an hour if you're not rushing. The site itself is small enough that you won't linger all afternoon, but the historical weight of it - Glyndŵr was Wales' last native prince - means it rewards a proper look around. Families with older kids who care about Welsh history will get something out of it; younger children might find it a bit abstract since there's not much to climb on or interact with.

If you're staying at Clwydian Glamping Pods nearby, this makes a straightforward half-day trip from your base. The real appeal is the story and the view rather than the physical remains themselves. Go when the weather's decent - standing on windswept earthworks in drizzle loses some of its magic.