Fonllech Menhir 4

Three thousand years ago, someone hauled a massive stone upright on this windswept hillside and walked away. Nobody knows why. Fonllech Menhir 4 stands alone in rough grassland above Harlech, a solitary Bronze Age monument that's weathered millennia of Welsh storms. The name means 'church stone' in Welsh, though any religious connection is pure speculation.

It's not spectacular - just a single standing stone about eight feet tall, leaning slightly as if tired from its long vigil. But there's something properly haunting about encountering it during a walk across the moors. History buffs and anyone with an imagination will find it worth the detour, though small children might wonder what the fuss is about.

Getting there requires a decent walk from the nearest road, so wear proper boots and check the weather. It's free to visit whenever you fancy, being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no facilities whatsoever. The stone makes a good excuse for a longer hike if you're staying at one of the holiday parks around Harlech - Woodlands or Castle View are closest. Combine it with a trip to Harlech Castle for a full day of Welsh heritage, ancient and medieval.