Castell-y-garn

The ruins of Castell-y-garn sit on high ground near Rhayader, commanding views across the Wye Valley. It's not much to look at these days - crumbling stone walls and earthwork ramparts - but that's rather the point. This is a proper medieval castle, or what's left of one, built to control the pass through Powys.

You'll want to allow about an hour if you're the sort who reads up on Welsh history before visiting, less if you're just after a short climb and a view. The site itself is modest, no visitor centre or interpretation boards, so the romance is entirely in your imagination. Kids might find it a bit underwhelming compared to the big show castles, but walkers and history types will appreciate the effort to seek it out.

The walk to the ruins from Rhayader is manageable. Free to access - there's no gate or entrance fee - and you can visit whenever suits you. The surrounding countryside is genuinely lovely, rolling hills and woodland that make the detour feel worthwhile even if the castle itself proves less dramatic than you'd hoped.

If you're staying at Wyeside Caravan & Camping Park just down the road, it's an easy afternoon sortie. The park itself is well-rated, so you've got a comfortable base to explore this corner of Powys. The valley walks around here are actually the real draw, and Castell-y-garn makes a reasonable focal point for a morning's rambling.