St Mary’s Church, Caerhun & Canovium Roman Fort

The real draw here is the layering of time. St Mary's Church sits right on top of Canovium, a Roman fort that guarded the Conwy Valley around 1,800 years ago. You're standing in a place where legionaries once marched, and later medieval Christians chose to build their church - whether deliberately on sacred ground or simply because it was already the obvious hub of the settlement, who knows.

The church itself is modest and largely 15th century, though parts are older. It's the setting that matters. You can walk the perimeter and spot Roman stonework incorporated into the churchyard walls - blocks with Latin inscriptions if you know where to look. The fort's ditches are still visible as earthworks, creating an eerie undulation across the grass. Bring a guidebook or do your homework beforehand, because signage is sparse.

This appeals most to Roman history buffs and walkers with an archaeological bent. You'll spend 45 minutes to an hour here, maybe more if you're mapping out the fort's layout against the ground. Families with young children might find it underwhelming - there's nothing to climb or explore hands-on, and it's easy to walk past the actual archaeology without realizing what you're looking at.

It's free and open access, right on the outskirts of Conwy town. Several camping and glamping spots sit within striking distance - Wern Farm and Erw Glas are barely over a mile away. Pair it with Conwy Castle and the town walls for a proper history day, or use it as a quieter alternative to the crowds down in town.