Pen Gaer Promontary Fort

The walk up to Pen Gaer is steep and muddy, but that's part of the appeal. You're climbing to an Iron Age fort that dominates the landscape above Whitland, and once you reach the summit, the views across Carmarthenshire make the effort worthwhile. The earthworks themselves are substantial - concentric ramparts that would have been formidable when they were properly fortified, though these days you're reading the landscape more than examining standing structures.

It's the kind of place that appeals to history enthusiasts and walkers who appreciate scrambling about on ancient sites rather than reading plaques. Families with older kids who don't mind getting their boots dirty will find it rewarding, though there's nothing hand-holding about it - you need to use your imagination to picture what life was like here two thousand years ago. Allow a couple of hours including the walk from the nearest road access point.

Free to visit, obviously - there's no infrastructure, no visitor centre, just the fort itself. The best approach is from Whitland's direction, though parking is limited and you'll want to check the ground conditions before you go, especially in winter when it turns into a proper bog. If you're staying at one of the nearby camping spots like Frowen Fields or Westwales Camping Pods, it's a manageable day out that actually justifies a trip inland from the coast. On a clear day, the panorama is genuinely impressive.