Gorsedd Circle

The standing stones at Gorsedd Circle sit on a windswept hillside above Porthcawl, and the first time you approach them - especially if the light's doing something interesting - they stop you dead. There are nineteen of these rough-hewn stones arranged in a circle, and despite their modest height, they command real presence on the landscape.

They're a modern creation, put up in 1946 for an Eisteddfod, which means you're not looking at ancient Bronze Age mysteries here. But that doesn't diminish the walk or the views one bit. On a clear day you can see across to the Bristol Channel, and the surrounding moorland has that raw, honest quality that South Wales does so well. It's exposed - bring a windproof if you're coming in autumn or winter.

The site itself is free and accessible year-round, which is handy. Allow twenty minutes to walk the stones, longer if you're the type to sit with a thermos and take in the space. Children will find it interesting for about fifteen minutes before restlessness sets in, though older teenagers who like walking will appreciate the effort of getting up there.

If you're staying at Trecco Bay Holiday Park - a solid family spot just four miles away - this makes a decent half-morning excursion. It's not a destination unto itself, mind, but paired with the beaches and coastal walks near Porthcawl, it fills out a proper day. The landscape matters more than the stones themselves, which is exactly why it works.