Llandovery Castle

The ruins sit right in the heart of Llandovery, impossible to miss as you walk through the town. What remains are the crumbling remnants of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle, its stone keep rising from an earthwork mound that dominates the landscape. The views across the Towy Valley from up there are genuinely impressive - on a clear day you can see why the Normans chose this spot to keep watch over the Welsh borders.

It's a quick visit, realistically half an hour to an hour if you're being thorough. You can walk around the outer defences and scramble up to the keep, though the steps can be a bit steep and the ground's muddy after rain. History buffs will appreciate the medieval military architecture, while kids tend to enjoy the clambering about aspect more than the actual history.

The castle is free to access - there's no visitor centre or facilities, just the ruins themselves. Llandovery is a proper small market town, so there's a cafe or two nearby if you need refreshment after exploring. If you're staying at one of the caravan parks close by - Erwlon or Riverside Pods are practically on your doorstep, less than a mile away - it's well worth an afternoon visit before heading off to explore the Brecon Beacons or the broader Carmarthenshire countryside. Barons Court and Abermarlais offer decent bases too if you're making a longer trip of it, though they're further out. Go midweek or early morning if you want the place to yourself.