Castle Mound

Grass-covered earthworks rise unexpectedly from the Anglesey landscape, marking where Norman invaders once planted their flag. Castle Mound near Llanfairfechan is what archaeologists call a motte - basically a man-made hill where a wooden castle would have stood guard over the Menai Strait.

Climbing to the top takes all of five minutes, but the views across to Snowdonia are properly spectacular on a clear day. The actual fortification is long gone, leaving just the raised earth platform and your imagination to fill in the gaps. Kids might find it a bit underwhelming unless they're into medieval history, but it's a decent leg-stretch if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Craiglwyd Hall or Kingsbridge.

History enthusiasts will appreciate this slice of Norman Wales, even if there's not much left to see beyond the grassy bump itself. The site appears to be freely accessible, though there's precious little information on the ground to explain what you're looking at. Allow half an hour max unless you're planning a picnic with that view.

It's hardly worth a special journey, but if you're exploring the coast road between Bangor and Conwy, Castle Mound makes for a quick detour. Just don't expect Caerphilly Castle - this is archaeology for people who enjoy connecting dots rather than gazing at towering walls.