Castell Aberystwyth

The ruins sit on a steep headland overlooking Cardigan Bay, commanding views that stretch for miles on a clear day. What remains of Castell Aberystwyth are the earthworks and stone foundations of a 13th-century fortress - enough to give you a proper sense of the medieval stronghold without the Hollywood reconstruction. The walk up takes about ten minutes from the seafront, and it's fairly steep, so factor that in if you're with younger kids or less mobile visitors.

History buffs will find this genuinely interesting - it's a Welsh castle with genuine teeth, built during a period when control of this coastline actually mattered. You get panoramic views across the bay towards Cardigan, and on windy days you'll understand why they chose this spot for defence. Allow an hour if you want to explore properly and take photographs; half an hour if you're just passing through.

For a family staying at Aberystwyth Holiday Village or Clarach Bay Holiday Village, this works well as a morning outing before lunch - the kids can burn off energy on the climb, and the views usually impress even teenagers. It's free to access and there are no opening hours to worry about. The nearby beaches and the quirky Aberystwyth seafront - with its cliff railway and pier - make natural additions to the same day out. Winter is actually lovely here; fewer crowds and the Atlantic light can be stunning.