Henry Vaughan Memorial

The Henry Vaughan Memorial sits in a quiet corner of Powys countryside near Brecon, marking the resting place of the 17th-century Welsh poet and metaphysical writer. It's a modest affair - not some grand monument, but a simple stone memorial that rewards the kind of traveller who enjoys a bit of literary pilgrimage mixed with fresh air. The setting itself is the real draw: rolling moorland and proper peaceful walking country that feels miles from anywhere, even though you're barely twenty minutes from Brecon town centre.

This works best if you're already camping locally - Pencelli Castle or Cwmdu are both close enough for a morning or afternoon visit. The memorial appeals most to poetry enthusiasts and anyone after a gentle ramble with a bit of cultural substance. You won't spend hours here, realistically, but combine it with a walk along the Brecon Beacons or a pint in Brecon itself and it becomes part of a proper day out. The real pleasure is the solitude and the quality of the surrounding landscape rather than the memorial itself. If your crew loses interest in history within five minutes, they'll appreciate the open moorland for running about at least.

Bring a picnic - that's rather the point of the site - and time your visit for decent weather. There's nothing worse than standing in drizzle at a quiet memorial in the middle of nowhere. The walk is straightforward enough for families, though it's moorland so proper footwear matters.