Monterey Cypress

Walk along Swansea's seafront and you'll spot something rather unexpected - a gnarled, wind-twisted tree that looks like it's been battling the Atlantic for centuries. This is the Monterey Cypress, a California native that somehow took root here and decided to stay put. It's not massive or particularly showy, but there's something oddly compelling about a tree so clearly shaped by coastal weather. You can walk right up to it, take a photo, and be on your way in five minutes flat.

Historically-minded visitors will appreciate the slightly surreal fact of a Californian species thriving on a Welsh shoreline - it speaks to Victorian plant-collecting ambitions. Families won't find much to occupy them for long, but it makes a decent photo stop if you're already walking the seafront. The real appeal is the story behind it rather than the tree itself.

It's free to visit, accessible year-round, and costs nothing but a minor detour. From Swansea, head towards the waterfront and you'll find it without fuss. If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Swansea Marina Tourer Park is closest at just over three miles away - it's worth adding to a coastal walk. Pair it with a proper explore of Swansea's seafront and you've got yourself a decent morning out. Don't expect it to be a destination in itself, though. It's the sort of thing you'll genuinely enjoy once you're there, but wouldn't drive specially to see.