Caer Estyn

The walk up to Caer Estyn rewards you with one of those rare views that makes the climb feel entirely justified. This Iron Age hill fort sits 200 metres above the Flintshire valleys, offering sight lines across North Wales that stretch for miles on a clear day. The remains themselves are modest - concentric earthworks and a flattened summit - but the location is where the real draw lies.

You're looking at roughly 45 minutes from Chester if you're staying locally. The climb is straightforward without being tedious, and families with teenagers will manage it fine. Younger children might find the initial push a bit steep, though once you hit the upper slopes the gradient eases. There's a car park at the base which takes the effort out of starting.

Historically-minded visitors will appreciate the defensive positioning - it's instantly obvious why someone chose this spot two thousand years ago. The views alone justify an afternoon visit, particularly if you're basing yourself at one of the glamping sites nearby. Willow Farm and Honeypot Hideaways are both within walking distance and offer proper comfort after a morning outdoors.

Don't expect extensive infrastructure at the summit. Bring water, wear decent boots, and choose a day when the clouds aren't sitting on top of the hill - you'll get nothing worth seeing if the mist rolls in. Early morning or late afternoon light transforms the view from merely good into something genuinely special. Forty minutes up, thirty down, and you're back drinking tea by early afternoon.