Capel Sbaen/Tabor y Mynydd

Two ancient chapels stand on a windswept hillside above Aberystwyth, separated by centuries but united by stone and stubborn faith. Capel Sbaen and Tabor y Mynydd sit exposed to the Welsh weather, weathered but dignified, offering views across Cardigan Bay that make the trek worthwhile even if you're not particularly moved by religious history.

Capel Sbaen is the older of the two - a modest medieval structure that feels genuinely remote despite being only a few miles from town. Tabor y Mynydd came later, a Nonconformist chapel from the 18th century, reflecting the religious upheaval that reshaped rural Wales. Both are simple buildings. Don't expect grandeur. What you get instead is authenticity and a real sense of how isolated worship once was up here.

The walk itself matters more than the destination. You're climbing proper moorland with gorse and rough grass underfoot, and the final stretch is steep enough to make you earn it. Allow 90 minutes return from Aberystwyth, though walkers will want longer to sit and take in the landscape. Families with young children might find it more effort than reward - there's little interpretation on site and the buildings are locked.

It's free, obviously. Go when the weather's decent because mud and mist render the views pointless. If you're based at Aber Camping or Tyn Ffordd Fach, this makes a solid afternoon outing. Forester's Retreat Glamping is slightly further but still within range. This isn't a destination in itself, but it's well worth the detour if you're already exploring the Ceredigion hills.