As a visitor at Plas Efenechtyd cottage, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to visiting historical sites. From "The Gruelling Experience" of Ruthin Gaol to one of the world's greatest medieval castles at Caernarfon, you won't be disappointed.

In Ruthin a visit to Nant Clwyd y Dre is  a must. It’s the oldest timbered town house in Wales and has recently been restored with 7 rooms each showing a different period from 1435 to 1942.

There are just too many ancient sites for us to list here but within easy reach are:

1. Ruthin Gaol at www.ruthingaol.co.uk - 2 miles away
   

2. Nant Clwyd y Dre - 2 miles away
   

3. Rug Chapel and Llangar Church - 10 miles - www.llangollen.com/rug
   

4. Denbigh Castle - 10 miles - www.denbigh.com/castle
   

5. Valle Crucis Abbey - 15 miles - www.llangollen.com/valle
   

6. Rhuddlan Castle - 17 miles  - www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
   

7. Bodelwyddan Castle - 17 miles - www.bodelwyddan-castle.co.uk
   

8. Plas Newydd, Llangollen - 17 miles
   

Going further afield but all within one hour's easy driving through gorgeous scenery are three of the great medieval castles built by Edward I:

CONWY CASTLE

CADW, the Welsh Historic Trust, says of Conwy "Conwy is by any standards one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe".

www.conwy.com

CAERNARFON CASTLE

One of the most imposing castles in Wales and a World Heritage Site. Worth a visit just for the views across to Anglesey alone.

www.caernarfon.com

Perched on a rock with stunning views of Snowdonia in one direction and the sea in the other. Harlech was one of five buildings chosen by Dan Cruickshank for the 2006 BBC television series Britain's Best Buildings.

www.harlech.com

Go to www.cadw.wales.gov.uk for details of most of these fabulous sites