Wellington Monument

The Wellington Monument rises from the hillside above Aberystwyth like a stone finger pointing at the sky. Built in 1897 to honour the Iron Duke himself, this 60-foot tower stands on Pen Dinas hill and demands the walk up to reach it - there's no way round that.

Once you've made the climb (and it's a proper huff), you'll find yourself standing at a vantage point that commands the whole of Cardigan Bay. The monument itself is impressively solid Victorian engineering, and the views back towards Aberystwyth and along the coastline make the effort worthwhile. On a clear day you can see for miles. It's not the kind of thing you'll spend hours at - maybe thirty minutes total including the walk - but it's a good reason to get out of the town and stretch your legs.

Families with walkers aged ten-plus will manage it fine. Younger kids might find the steep section tedious. History buffs will appreciate the period it represents - that moment when Britain was still keen on commemorating military figures with stone monuments. The climb itself is the real attraction though, frankly.

The site appears to be freely accessible, though conditions and access can change. You'll want decent shoes and ideally dry weather. The surrounding area is open moorland, so it gets breezy. Aberystwyth Holiday Village sits just half a mile away, making this an easy walk from where you're staying. Combine it with a coastal potter round Aberystwyth itself and you've got a solid half-day out.