The Old Chapel

There's something about stepping into a medieval chapel that stops you dead. The Old Chapel near Crickhowell is exactly that kind of place - small, ancient, and utterly unbothered by how many people visit it on any given day. You're looking at proper centuries here, stone walls that have watched the landscape change around them, the sort of building that makes you feel very much like an intruder in the best possible way.

It's not a grand affair. There's no gift shop, no cafe, probably no visiting hours to speak of. What you get instead is the real thing - a working or semi-working chapel depending on when you turn up, the kind of place where history isn't curated for comfort. History types will genuinely rate this. Walkers doing circuits through the Herefordshire hills will find it worth the detour, especially if you're based at Cwmdu Campsite or Olchon Valley Campsite, both within easy reach. Families with kids who can handle quiet spaces and aren't after entertainment will appreciate the authenticity, though it's not the sort of spot that'll keep under-tens entertained for long.

The real value here is context. This isn't a standalone attraction - it's the sort of thing you find while walking proper countryside, a moment of discovery rather than a destination in itself. If you're camping nearby and want to understand how people actually lived in medieval Herefordshire rather than read about it in a guidebook, this delivers. Don't expect facilities or visitor information. Just bring decent shoes and an appreciation for the uncomplicated past.