Castell Rhuddlan

The castle sits right on the River Clwyd, just inland from Rhyl, and it's one of those places that stops you in your tracks the moment you round the corner. Built by Edward I in 1277, Castell Rhuddlan is all crenellated walls and diamond-shaped towers - proper medieval stuff. You can walk right up to it and explore the ruins at your own pace, which takes about 45 minutes if you're genuinely interested, less if you're just after a quick photo.

Walkers will find it worth the detour. The riverside setting is genuinely lovely, and there's enough detail in the stonework to keep history buffs engaged - the twin-towered gatehouse is particularly impressive. Kids might get restless unless they're into climbing on old rocks and playing knights, but the open access means you can duck in and out without feeling pressured to stay.

It's free to wander around, which is brilliant. You can see it from the road too if you're short on time, but actually getting close reveals far more character. The ground can be muddy after rain, so proper shoes matter.

If you're staying at Golden Sands or Parkdean Resorts Ty Mawr - both within a few miles - this fits nicely into an afternoon loop along the coast. Rhyl itself is right there for fish and chips afterwards. It's not the kind of attraction that demands half a day, but it's absolutely worth the 20-minute stop if you're in the area.