Y Ty Powdr - The Powder House

The squat stone building that is Y Ty Powdr sits quietly on the outskirts of Porthmadog, a relic from when this corner of North Wales was serious about industry. Built to store explosives for the slate quarries that once dominated Gwynedd, it's the sort of place that makes you pause and think about what life was like here a century ago.

It's not going to take hours. Walk round it, read the information board if there is one, take a photo. The appeal is historical rather than visually dramatic - you're looking at a functional Victorian-era structure, not a castle or a ruin. What makes it worth a detour from Porthmadog is the story it tells about Welsh industrial heritage and how explosive materials were handled back then. History buffs and anyone interested in industrial archaeology will find it worthwhile. Families with young children might struggle to keep them engaged unless they're already keen on that sort of thing.

Park it as a short stop if you're exploring the area around Porthmadog. It works well alongside the nearby touring parks - Black Rock Sands and Min-y-don are close enough that you could combine a visit with a beach walk or a longer ramble. The town itself has more conventional attractions if you need alternatives. Best visited in decent weather since there's no cover, and go early in the day if you want decent light for photographs. Don't expect facilities - it's purely a look-from-outside job.