St Peter & St Cynidr's

You'll find this medieval church tucked away in the Powys countryside, a solid stone building that's been standing for centuries. St Peter & St Cynidr's has that particular quality of old Welsh churches - functional rather than showy, with genuine character worn into its walls by generations of worshippers.

Inside, there's proper medieval work to admire if you're into church architecture - the sort of place where you can actually see how these buildings were constructed and modified over time, rather than everything being polished and restored to death. The setting itself, away from the main drag between Hereford and Hay-on-Wye, gives it a real sense of solitude. You're not fighting crowds here.

It's genuinely worth a detour if you're the type who enjoys poking around old churches, but be honest with yourself - if you're not interested in medieval stonework and local history, you'll be done in fifteen minutes. The real draw is combining a visit with Hay-on-Wye itself, which is only a handful of miles away and far more substantial as a destination. The caravan parks scattered around the area - Hay-on-Wye Caravan Park, Bryndu, and the others - make decent bases for exploring this corner of Mid Wales.

Bring a camera if you're into ecclesiastical photography. The exterior shots are decent, particularly in afternoon light. Access appears unrestricted, though always check locally. Allow twenty minutes, maybe half an hour if you're thorough.