Esgair Las

You'll find yourself standing on a windswept hillside near Llanidloes, staring at what looks like a rather unremarkable patch of moorland until someone points out the Iron Age fort. Esgair Las is a properly ancient settlement - we're talking over two thousand years back - and the earthworks are still visible if you know what to look for. The fort's defensive banks and ditches rise from the hillside in concentric rings, giving you a real sense of how the original inhabitants built their stronghold against the landscape.

Walkers will absolutely love this one. It's accessible, demands proper boots and a decent map, and rewards you with genuine archaeological intrigue rather than the polished heritage-centre experience. The views across the Powys hills are decent too, and on a clear day you can see why someone picked this spot two millennia ago. Bring an OS map or download the coordinates - signage is minimal, which is either refreshingly authentic or frustratingly vague depending on your mood.

This works brilliantly as part of a walking holiday centred around Llanidloes. It's the kind of detour that makes for proper conversation over supper, especially if you're staying at Glangwy Farm Camping just down the road. Allow two hours if you're taking it seriously, less if you just want a quick look and photographs. Free to visit, naturally. Go midweek in autumn when the weather's crisp and the tourist crowds have cleared.