Soar-Y-Mynydd

The walk up to Soar-Y-Mynydd takes you through proper Welsh moorland, and that alone makes the trip worthwhile. This small, whitewashed church sits at around 1,600 feet above sea level near Llanwrtyd Wells - one of the highest churches in Wales, and it feels it. The building itself is simple, unpretentious stone work, the kind of place that looks like it's grown out of the landscape rather than been planted on it.

What strikes you most is the isolation. There's no village, no car park, no tea shop. Just the church, the hills, and the wind. Inside, it's spartan in the best way - wooden pews worn smooth by generations of farmers and their families, and a quietness that actually means something up here. Most people walk it, and you'll want a decent hour to get up and back down comfortably, depending on fitness.

It's absolutely the sort of place that rewards walkers and history types rather than casual drivers. Families with young kids might find it a slog for what amounts to a small church interior. Go when the weather's decent because in rain and mist you'll see nothing but clouds, and the path gets slippery fast. There's no phone signal, no facilities, so bring water.

If you're staying at Welsh Glamping nearby, this makes a proper half-day walk. The views from up there on a clear day stretch for miles across the Brecon Beacons - far better than any church interior. It's worth the effort.