Y Pen-saer Maen

Standing stones don't get much more atmospheric than this Bronze Age burial chamber perched on Anglesey's windswept landscape. Y Pen-saer Maen - roughly translated as 'the stonemason's stone' - is what remains of a Neolithic tomb that once sheltered the dead some 4,000 years ago.

What you'll find today is a dramatic capstone balanced on supporting uprights, creating that classic dolmen silhouette against the sky. The massive roof slab has shifted over the millennia, giving the whole structure a precarious, almost gravity-defying appearance that's quite striking. It's smaller than Anglesey's more famous Bryn Celli Ddu, but there's something rather moving about its isolation.

History enthusiasts will appreciate the craftsmanship - imagine hauling these enormous stones into position without modern machinery. Families with older children who enjoy a bit of mystery will find it engaging, though little ones might lose interest quickly. The site is always accessible and there's no admission fee, making it a worthwhile detour when exploring the Beaumaris area.

A brief stop rather than a destination in itself - twenty minutes is plenty unless you're particularly taken with ancient monuments. It fits well into a day touring Anglesey's historic sites, and you're only a short drive from several holiday parks around Beaumaris if you're staying locally.