The Great Stag Bench

You'll find this curious wooden bench carved into the shape of a stag tucked away in the Powys countryside near Welshpool, and it's exactly the sort of thing that makes a random detour worthwhile. Someone's gone to the effort of creating a proper piece of folk art here - a life-sized stag with its antlers forming the backrest, all hewn from wood. It's free to visit and you can rock up whenever suits you.

The bench itself is the whole attraction, really. You don't need more than fifteen minutes, twenty if you're the type who likes to sit down and actually use it for a moment's peace. It's more of a "I'm passing through and fancy a quick photograph" situation than a destination in itself, but that's part of its charm. The spot appeals to walkers doing longer routes through mid-Wales, and families exploring the quieter corners of Powys will find kids quite entertained by the novelty of sitting on a giant wooden stag.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Pandy Camping and Camp Plas are both excellent and close by - it's absolutely worth combining this with a ramble around the local footpaths. The real magic here is that it's unassuming and genuine, not some over-polished tourist trap. Go when the weather's decent so you can actually sit on it without getting soaked. You're never far from Welshpool if you need supplies or a hot drink afterwards.