Coity Castle

Coity Castle sits on a low hill above the village of Coity, about six miles inland from Porthcawl, and it's one of those places that rewards a proper poke around. What you're looking at is a Norman fortress from around 1110, built on an Iron Age fort - so there's layers of Welsh history here, which appeals to the archaeology types. The castle fell into disrepair centuries ago, but enough remains to give you a proper sense of the place: the keep still stands, there are substantial walls, and you can walk the perimeter and imagine the medieval layout. It's free to explore, and honestly, it's not swarming with visitors like some castles are. Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're the sort who reads every interpretation board and takes photos from every angle. Kids get a decent amount out of it - there's room to run about, and the stone walls are fun to clamber near (within reason). The surrounding countryside is pleasant enough, though it won't blow your mind. If you're staying at Trecco Bay Holiday Park, it's a straightforward ten-minute drive, making it an easy half-day outing. Pair it with a walk around Porthcawl's seafront and you've got a solid day. Go in decent weather - it's exposed, and there's not much shelter if the rain rolls in.