Hill Fort Camp

The earthworks at Hill Fort Camp rise up sharply from the landscape near Conwy, and they're properly impressive once you're standing on them. You're looking at Iron Age defensive structures - think ramparts and ditches that would have kept a settlement secure two thousand years ago. The site itself isn't heavily managed or signposted, which means you get an authentic, unvarnished experience rather than a visitor centre with gift shop queues.

This is genuinely best for people who care about archaeology or enjoy reading the land itself. If you want someone to explain everything with interactive displays, you'll be disappointed. But if you like the idea of walking the actual ground where ancient Britons lived and defended themselves, it's brilliant. The views across the surrounding area are decent too - that's half the point of building a fort here in the first place.

There's no admission charge as far as I could establish, and no set opening hours because it's essentially open land. Allow 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how much poking about you do. Spring and autumn are better than summer because you won't be fighting through crowds of school groups.

If you're staying at Golden Sands or Parkdean Resorts Ty Mawr - both within easy reach from Rhyl - this makes a solid morning excursion before heading back for lunch. It pairs well with Conwy town itself, which is only a short drive away and has proper medieval interest if you want your history with more obvious attractions attached.