Gnoll house

The ruins of Gnoll House sit on the outskirts of Swansea like a proper reminder that grandeur doesn't always last. What you're looking at is a 17th-century mansion that's been left to crumble - and there's something oddly compelling about that. The stone walls still stand, enough to give you a sense of the scale the original builders had in mind, but windows are gone and nature's well on its way to reclaiming the place.

It's worth a visit if you're into Welsh history or just fancy a short walk around something with actual age on it. The site won't take long - half an hour maximum - but it does give context to how Swansea's wealthy lived when the town was making serious money. Families with kids who like exploring old buildings will get something out of it, though there's no gift shop or interpretation centre to keep younger ones entertained for hours.

The setting itself is the real draw. Standing among the ruins with views across the valley is rather lovely on a clear day. Access appears to be free and fairly straightforward, though it's worth checking locally in Swansea first as opening arrangements aren't always obvious for heritage sites like this.

If you're basing yourself at either Riverside Holiday Park or SWDA Riverside - both within five miles - Gnoll House makes a decent half-day outing combined with a walk around the local area. Don't expect Caerphilly Castle levels of visitor facilities, but that's rather the point.