If you're searching for a distinctive day out or a short break this summer, the market town of Montgomery might just surprise you with its offerings.

Tucked away in the Welsh countryside and just moments from the Welsh-English border in Powys, Montgomery is a bit of a hidden gem that offers castle ruins, a Michelin Guide restaurant, a quaint half-timbered hotel, and even a spine-chilling 200 year old legend.

Despite its size, housing a population of roughly 1,300, Montgomery has a rich history.

The town's formation dates back almost a thousand years. After backing William the Conqueror during the Norman conquest of England, Lord Roger de Montgomery was rewarded with this slice of the Welsh Marches and had the town named in his honour.

As far back as 1070, the Norman lord built a timber motte-and-bailey castle at Hen Domen (which translates to 'old mound' in Welsh), northwest of the present town, and a small village grew around it. When Henry III took the throne in the 13th century, he replaced the Norman fort with a sturdier stone castle in 1223 as a defence against the native prince Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, also known as Llywelyn the Great, reports the Mirror.

Perched on a steep crag southeast of its original counterpart, the castle's remnants tower over the modern town. The fortress withstood sieges in the 13th and 15th centuries but ultimately fell during the English Civil Wars and was taken apart by Parliamentary forces in 1644.

Today, only fragments remain, under the care of Cadw. Below, the town retains its ancient layout, complete with the Grade-I listed St Nicholas parish church, established in 1226, still intact.

The churchyard is home to the so-called Robber's Grave, enveloped in a chilling local myth that has survived over two hundred years. According to the Powys County Times, it involves a Wrexham plasterer wrongfully convicted of assault and robbery, who was publicly hanged in 1821.

Amidst a violent thunderstorm that erupted as the noose was drawn, his last proclamation to the gathered crowd carried a haunting forewarning: "If I am innocent, the grass, for one generation at least, will not cover my grave."

This dark prophecy appears to have held, with the grave remaining grassless for more than a hundred years, exhibiting bare spots to this day. The courthouse and county jail where he faced trial and spent his final moments have been converted into charming cottages, yet sightings of him persist to this day.

Montgomery was granted a Royal Charter in 1227, giving it the right to host fairs and markets. A medieval market hall still stands on the main street, maintaining this tradition with a weekly market held in the town hall, come rain or shine.

The town hall, constructed in 1748, is tucked away in the scenic town square, which is decorated with colourful bunting. The buildings around the square, including the town hall itself, display a strong Georgian influence.

Visitors are often drawn in by the town's Georgian allure, Victorian structures, and half-timbered buildings from earlier periods - the town boasts a remarkable 141 listed buildings. Among these is The Dragon Hotel, a half-timbered building erected in 1630 as a coaching inn.

According to the hotel's website, it's run by a family. The town also houses a range of businesses such as cafes, a chippy, a florist, an antique shop, a bookshop, a family-run ironmongers, a local history museum, a model car museum, an award-winning local cider maker, a brewery, and even a vineyard.

The Checkers restaurant, a renowned establishment that used to be a 17th-century coaching inn, is now managed by a husband-and-wife duo and has secured a place in the Michelin Guide. The former village pub not only serves excellent food but also features a wood burner, oak beams and cosy bedrooms.

For those who prefer a bit of action, Montgomery is just a stone's throw away from Offa's Dyke Path, a 177-mile walking trail. The town is also a perfect starting point for several other well-marked walking and cycling trails in the area.

And naturally, no trip to Montgomery would be complete without a quick walk to Montgomery Castle to take in the stunning, panoramic views of the vast countryside.