National Trust - Graig Fawr

The crag looms over the Conwy Valley with a kind of stubborn grandeur that makes you understand why the National Trust bothered to protect it. Graig Fawr - that's 'big rock' in Welsh, and it's precisely what you get. A proper limestone outcrop with views across the North Wales coast that stretch all the way to the Irish Sea on a clear day. The walk itself isn't difficult, though the path can be boggy depending on when you visit. Most people manage it in under an hour from the car park, though some will linger at the top simply staring outward.

It's the kind of place walkers genuinely enjoy - nothing curated, no visitor centre nonsense, just good legs and better scenery. Families with older kids will get something from it; younger ones might find the walk tedious without the promise of an ice cream at the end. The nearest facilities are in Rhyl, which is about ten miles down the road and frankly worth avoiding unless you're desperate for a chip shop.

Going free and unstaffed means you can turn up whenever suits you. Worth combining with the holiday parks nearby - Golden Sands or Ty Mawr - if you're basing yourself in the area for a week. The Conwy Valley has plenty more walks and castles dotted about, so Graig Fawr works well as a half-morning jaunt rather than a main event. Strong winds in winter; go spring or early autumn for the best of it.