Allt Aber-deunant

The forest at Allt Aber-deunant sprawls across the Carmarthenshire landscape near Carmarthen with the kind of quiet that makes you actually notice birdsong. It's proper woodland - tall conifers mixed with broadleaf trees, the sort of place where the ground stays damp even when it hasn't rained for days. Walking through here feels like stepping into a different Wales entirely, away from the market towns and coastal bustle.

There are trails winding through, though they're not always signposted with military precision. That's part of the appeal if you're the type who enjoys a bit of navigation by instinct rather than laminated maps. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you want to explore properly, longer if you're photographing fungi or just sitting on a log staring at nothing in particular. Kids will find plenty to do - sticks to collect, streams to paddle in, the usual woodland entertainment - though once they've had a good stomp about for an hour, the novelty wears off.

Closest base for a proper park holiday would be one of the glamping sites nearby. Embrace the Space is just over four miles away if you fancy a hot tub and yurt setup after your forest wandering. Frowen Fields and Woodland Rise are also within easy reach if you want something more traditional. The forest itself appears to be free access, which is how these places should be. Go when it's misty - you'll understand why people bang on about Welsh woodland once you're actually lost in it.