Caer y Belan

The ruins of Caer y Belan sit on Anglesey just outside Caernarfon, a fragmentary reminder of medieval Welsh fortification that won't demand much of your time but rewards a quick detour if you're exploring the area. What remains is modest - stone walls and earthwork outlines rather than the dramatic turrets you might hope for - yet there's something quietly satisfying about standing where a castle once commanded the landscape.

This is fundamentally a site for history-minded walkers rather than families after a full afternoon's entertainment. The actual ruins are spare, so you're really paying your respects to the place rather than exploring through grand chambers. Allow thirty minutes, tops, including the approach. It works well as part of a wider ramble around Anglesey's medieval sites, or a stop-off if you're heading between Caernarfon and the coast.

Staying at Morfa Lodge or Coed Helen puts you within easy reach - both are minutes away - making it a reasonable morning activity before heading to larger attractions. The Caernarfon area has plenty to keep you occupied, and this minor castle works best as supplementary rather than the main event. Check conditions before visiting; exposure to Welsh weather means these ruins can be muddy and exposed. Free to access, which is the main appeal. It's honestly a bit sparse for what it is, but if you're into castles and you're already in the neighbourhood, you might as well tick it off.