Pant-gwyn

The ruins of Pant-gwyn sit quietly on the Gwynedd hillside, a few miles inland from the coastal village of Llwyngwril. This is a slate quarry worker's cottage - or what remains of one - dating back to the 19th century when the slate industry drove the whole economy of North Wales. Walking out to it feels properly remote, the kind of place where you're genuinely alone with the landscape.

What you'll find is essentially a stone shell: two rooms, rough walls, a hearth still visible in the rubble. No interpretation boards, no gift shop, no fencing. Just the cottage itself and the quarry workings nearby. It's the sort of site that appeals to people who actually care about industrial heritage rather than those after a day out with the kids. Walkers heading into the hills above Llwyngwril might stumble across it; history enthusiasts will make the detour deliberately.

Allow 30 minutes if you're just passing through, longer if you want to explore the quarry and sit with what the place tells you about the lives of the people who worked here. There's no admission charge that I'm aware of - it's simply there. The walk from Llwyngwril takes you through decent countryside, so combine it with a longer hill ramble.

If you're staying at Cae Du Campsite or Sunbeach Holiday Park nearby, this makes a worthwhile morning walk. It won't entertain everyone, but for those interested in Wales' industrial past, it's worth the effort.