The Brimmon Oak

An ancient oak tree in the middle of nowhere - that's the Brimmon Oak, and it's one of those attractions that forces you to recalibrate what counts as a proper day out. Located in Powys, this gnarled veteran has been standing on the Welsh hillside for centuries, and frankly, it's the sort of place that appeals to a very specific type of visitor: walkers who don't mind the anticlimactic payoff, history buffs obsessed with pre-industrial Wales, and anyone who gets a kick out of seeking out Britain's oldest living things.

The tree itself isn't enormous by ancient oak standards - you won't gasp in awe the way you might at something in the Cotswolds. But that's partly the charm. There's no fencing, no visitor centre, no tea room. Just an old tree in farmland, which means you're getting the real experience rather than a sanitised version of it. The walk to reach it is pleasant enough if you're in the area, though it's not a destination in its own right.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Smithy Park is closest at just over three miles away - it's worth combining with longer walks in the Powys valleys. Allow an hour or two total, depending on how philosophical you want to get staring at timber. Go in autumn when the light's interesting and you won't be fighting summer crowds (not that there are many). Free to visit, naturally, because there's nothing to charge admission for.