St Hilary's Church

The church sits on the edge of Swansea's urban sprawl, a proper medieval structure that stops you in your tracks if you're exploring the quieter bits of the city. St Hilary's is exactly what it says on the tin - a working parish church with the solid stone presence of something that's been standing for centuries. The building itself rewards a close look, with the kind of architectural details that remind you how skilled medieval craftspeople were, though you'll need to check opening hours before you head over, as it's not one of those tourist attractions with fixed times.

Historically-minded visitors will get the most from this one. It's not a major tourist draw with crowds and gift shops, which is either its greatest strength or its greatest weakness depending on what you're after. Family groups with young kids might find twenty minutes is about the limit, unless they're particularly into old stonework.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Blackhills Leisure is closest at just 1.5 miles away - this makes a straightforward local walk, especially if you're looking to get a feel for the older parts of Swansea beyond the seafront. Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park sits 4.8 miles south and offers better scenery for a full day out, but St Hilary's works as a quick cultural stop if you're in the area. Ring ahead to confirm it's open before making the trip.