Marian Ffrith Hillfort

The Iron Age ramparts at Marian Ffrith still command the high ground above Conwy, nearly 2,500 years after someone first threw up those defensive ditches. You're climbing to a proper hillfort here - the sort of place where ancient Britons would have sheltered livestock and themselves when trouble came calling. The views across North Wales from the top are excellent, especially on a clear day when you can pick out the coastal sprawl towards Rhyl to the east.

What makes it worth the walk is the landscape reading. The concentric rings of earthworks are still visible if you know what to look for, though they're not dramatically preserved - this isn't Maiden Castle. You'll spend maybe 45 minutes here, tops, unless you're the type who enjoys standing about contemplating Iron Age settlement patterns. The site is free and accessible year-round, though muddy after rain.

Families with kids aged eight and up will get something from it, particularly if they're already interested in archaeology. Younger children might find it a bit abstract - there's no visitor centre, no interpretation boards, just lumps and bumps in the grass. History walkers will appreciate the walk itself and the chance to stand where someone stood 2,000 years ago.

If you're staying at Golden Sands Holiday Park nearby, this makes a decent half-day excursion combined with exploring Conwy itself. The walk is moderately steep but short. Go early to avoid crowds and catch the light on those earthworks properly.