Standing Stone (Menhir)

Ancient stones have a way of making you feel rather small, and this particular menhir on Anglesey does exactly that. Standing alone in a field not far from Beaumaris, this weathered sentinel has been keeping watch for thousands of years - though nobody's quite sure what it was watching for.

The stone itself is impressively tall, around ten feet of rough-hewn rock that's clearly seen better millennia. What strikes you most is the silence around it. Unlike some of Wales's more famous stone circles, this one doesn't come with crowds or interpretation boards. Just you, the stone, and whatever stories your imagination can conjure up.

History enthusiasts will appreciate the mystery of it all - was it a boundary marker, a ritual site, or simply an ancient's way of saying 'we were here'? Families might find it a bit anticlimactic after a ten-minute walk, though kids often surprise you with their fascination for ancient things.

Getting there involves a short stroll across farmland, so wear proper walking boots. Allow half an hour tops unless you're the contemplative sort who likes to sit and ponder the Bronze Age. It makes a decent detour if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Kingsbridge Caravan Park or St. David's Park - easily combined with a trip into Beaumaris for lunch.