Sir Watkin's Tower

You'll spot this tower long before you reach it - a whitewashed stone column rising abruptly from the hillside near Ruthin, impossible to miss once you know where to look. Sir Watkin's Tower dates back to 1820 and was built as a folly by the local gentry, one of those Victorian obsessions with creating dramatic landmarks across the Welsh landscape.

The walk up is moderate and rewarding. Most people allow thirty minutes to reach it, though the final push gets steep. From the top, the views across Denbighshire are genuinely worth the effort - on clear days you're looking across proper moorland, with the Clwydian Range sprawling out in front of you.

It's a straightforward structure inside - you can climb the spiral staircase if you're up for it, though the stone steps are narrow and the space feels cramped. Families with younger kids might find it underwhelming; it's more of a scenic objective than a proper exploration. Walkers and landscape photographers get far more from it. There's no visitor centre or facilities, so bring water.

The tower works well as part of a broader ramble through the Ruthin area. If you're staying at Clwydian Glamping Pods and Campsite just outside town, you could easily incorporate this into a half-day walk. Free to visit, naturally - it's just standing there on the hillside. Go on a clear morning if you can; the mist can roll in quickly and spoils the views that make the climb worthwhile.