Five places you won't find in the guide books...North Wales

Something of a misnomer, the collection of stones known as Druid’s Circle has no connection to druids at all. Though its uncertain how long exactly when the site was established, it’s estimated to be roughly 5000 years old, predating the druids by 2000 years or so. It can be found just south of Penmaenmawr, a coastal town between the Menai Strait and Llandudno, and if you head through Penmaenmawr up to Mountain lane, you’ll be able to drive up the mountainside to within about a mile of the stones. Even if you ignore the stones themselves, which never fail to amaze with the difficulty of the feat of constructing them – the views from up here are incredible, and in the right spot, you can see Anglesey in the west and Carneddau in the South.

Within the Padarn Country Park, Llyn Padarn Shore is a two-mile-long lake, spanning around 240 acres, and though it’s one of the largest natural lakes in Wales, it’s often overlooked in favour of climbing Snowdon, which is just four or so miles southeast. It’s easily accessible, with the A4086 running directly alongside it, and it’s well worth factoring this road into a drive even if you’re not visiting, as it’s incredibly scenic. The Padarn Country Park is huge, and spans 800 acres, and within the area there are five trails to follow, going lakeside and through woodland. If you’re looking for more than a wander, you’ll also find rock climbing, as well as various watersports, like canoeing and sailing.

Once a mining operation, Dorothea Quarry Lake was created when the quarry was flooded, and now all that’s left is the ruined former buildings and a Cornish Beam Engine. It’s an eerie place to explore (be very careful, as it’s falling apart), but fascinating to see as a snapshot of time in the 1800s. It’s relatively easy to get to, with roads running adjacent between Talysarn in the west, and Nantlle in the east. And if you’re looking for other things to do in the area, there’s also Llyn Nantlle Uchaf to explore just 900 metres away. Though some take to its waters to swim, it’s likely not a good idea, as the depth is up to 100 metres in places, and 20 people have lost their lives there. In order to dissuade people from doing so, local councils have added black dye to some quarry pools – so stay out unless you fancy taking on a new hue.

Another quarry, this time, a little harder to find. Just outside Garndolbenmaen, this quarry’s found to the northeast by following an unmarked road off the A487, past the Dolbenmaen Parish Church. Ignore the first left, and then keep left after that, and you’ll find the quarry near the end of the road. Another snapshot of time, you’ll find disused buildings crumbling in disrepair, and a tiny clearing where the flooded quarry is now reclaimed by nature. It’s a great spot for a picnic, and after, you can explore the rocky outcrops and hillside to the west, taking a moment to enjoy views of the sea and the mountains.

Precious few make it out to see Capel Garmon, which is a shame given the mystery that surrounds it. Little is known about it, and it’s assumed to be a burial site. The mystery is that it appears to have been made by a society that lived 100 miles away, around the River Severn, due to its similar construction to sites there. It’s believed to be around 5500 years old, and never ceases to amaze when exploring, as you try and imagine the scale of the effort it would have taken to create. The magic of exploring it aside, once again, the views to the west of Snowdonia are incredible, and a short drive to the nearby Gwydir Forest Park, for post exploration strolls. The site is a little tricky to get to, with access routes being single-track, barely laid roads, but it’s well worth putting it on your list.