Castell Bwa-Drain

There's not much left of Castell Bwa-Drain, to be honest - just earthworks and a handful of stones if you know where to look. It's an Iron Age hill fort near Aberystwyth, the sort of place that rewards a bit of legwork but won't keep you for hours. The remains sit on raised ground with views across the Ceredigion landscape, which is the real draw. You're looking at defensive ditches and ramparts that have softened with time, the kind of archaeology that takes imagination to reconstruct in your head. History types and serious walkers will get more from it than casual visitors. Kids might manage twenty minutes before getting restless, unless they're the sort who enjoy clambering over earthworks and pretending to defend a fortress. Allow an hour if you're combining it with a walk in the area - the approach itself is pleasant enough. Getting there involves some wandering, so bring a map or working GPS; it's not signposted to within an inch of its life like some sites. Free to visit, naturally, since there's nothing to pay at. If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Brynllwyd or Woodlands are within a couple of miles - it's worth adding to a morning's exploring rather than making a special trip. Aberystwyth itself is your jumping-off point, and the town has enough going on that you won't feel cheated if the fort turns out to be less dramatic than hoped. Best visited in decent weather when the paths aren't waterlogged.