Old St John's Church

The churchyard sits quietly on the outskirts of Porthmadog, and Old St John's Church feels like the sort of place locals forget to mention to visitors. It's a proper medieval structure, all sturdy stone and history, with that particular quality of churches in rural Wales where you sense centuries of worship layered into the walls. The building itself rewards a slow look - the architecture tells you plenty about who built it and when, though you'll want to check ahead for opening times as these smaller churches can be unpredictable.

It's the sort of stop that works best if you're already in Porthmadog rather than a destination in itself. History enthusiasts will find it genuinely interesting; families with restless kids will probably spend twenty minutes here before moving on. The churchyard offers a moment of calm, which matters more than you'd think when you're camping nearby.

The location works well alongside the local touring parks. Black Rock Sands is just 2.5 miles away and carries decent reviews, while Barcdy and Ty'n Llan both sit within easy reach if you're looking for five-star rated spots. Combine this with a walk around Porthmadog's harbour area and you've got a decent afternoon sorted. Bring a camera if you're into old buildings - the light through the windows and the weathered stonework are worth capturing. There's no admission charge, which is always nice, though do ring ahead to confirm the church is actually open when you visit.