Abbey Cwm-hir

The ruins of Abbey Cwm-hir sit in a valley near Llandrindod Wells, a sprawling Cistercian monastery that once ranked among Wales's grandest religious houses. What you actually find now is mostly foundations and broken stonework scattered across a quiet field - no roof, no walls to speak of, just the archaeological footprint of a place that mattered deeply in medieval times.

This is proper territory for history buffs and anyone interested in monastic life. You can walk the grounds and trace where the church once stood, where the monks would have lived and worked. The site includes an information board that explains what's missing, which helps you mentally rebuild what's long gone. It's atmospheric rather than dramatic - you need imagination to make it sing.

Allow an hour maximum, less if you're not bothered by ruins. Admission appears free, which is fair given you're basically looking at old stones in a field. It's worth timing it right though - wet weather makes the ground boggy, and there's minimal shelter. Go when the light's good and you can actually see what you're standing in.

If you're based at Wyeside Caravan & Camping Park just down the road, this makes an easy afternoon outing to break up your holiday. Pair it with Llandrindod Wells itself - the Victorian spa town has proper character - and you've got a decent day. The valley setting is lovely, at least, and you won't be fighting crowds.