Plas Y Cadno

Poke your nose into some history tales… the ruins of Llandovery Castle (20 minutes’ drive) were once a grand 13th-century fortress and the hilltop Carreg Cennen Castle (45 minutes) is another castle that has crumbled since the 13th century. At the Dolaucothi Gold Mines (half an hour), you could learn about Roman mining tricks and get down underground to see them yourselves. Elsewhere, the National Cycle Museum (25 minutes) is about the timeline of the bicycle instead. If you’re looking to get a taste of the local landscapes, you’ll be in for a treat. Elan Valley walks (half an hour) are especially scenic, with six dams around the valley the disused track Elan Valley Railway now used as a track for walkers, and Llyn Brianne (45 minutes) is another hot spot for hikers to take in lake views as they make their way around. The Brecon Beacons National Park (half an hour) has many more spectacular walks, including the climb up Pen y Fan (an hour), or there’s the Red Kite Feeding Station in Rhayader (25 minutes) to see red kites being fed. Of course, for hikes coastal-style or watersports, the Pembrokeshire coastline (an hour) is also within driving distance.