Canadian War Memorial

The Canadian War Memorial sits on a hillside above Brecon, a solemn stone cairn marking where Canadian soldiers trained during the Second World War. You'll find it on the Brecon Beacons slopes - not exactly a five-minute stroll, but the walk itself is the point. The memorial is modest, which somehow makes it more affecting than anything grand could be. Names are carved into the stone. You stand there and realise this was someone's son, someone's brother, a long way from home.

This is primarily a spot for those with a genuine interest in wartime history or the Canadian contribution to the British war effort. It's not a destination that'll keep children entertained for long unless they're already keen on the subject. The real reward is the journey - the moorland views, the quiet, the chance to think about what happened here decades ago.

Allow an hour including the walk from Brecon town centre. There's no visitor centre or facilities at the memorial itself, so come prepared. The best time is late spring through early autumn when the paths are properly walkable and the weather less temperamental. If you're based at Pencelli Castle Caravan & Camping Park or Cefn Cantref Campsite, both just a few miles out, it's an easy half-day excursion that breaks up a Brecon Beacons holiday nicely. The memorial doesn't demand hours, but it deserves respect and a moment of reflection.