Allt Cae-blawd

Getting lost in Allt Cae-blawd forest, just outside Carmarthen, feels exactly like what you'd want from a Welsh woodland walk. The trees press in close enough that you feel properly away from things, even though you're barely twenty minutes from town. Streams cut through the valley floor - there's real water here, not the trickle you sometimes get - and the paths follow them uphill through mixed woodland that's genuinely dense in places.

This works best for walkers who want something low-key. Families with primary-school kids will find plenty to explore without needing an expedition's worth of kit, though the paths get muddy after rain. Expect a good hour wandering around if you're not rushing. The forest isn't dramatic - no waterfalls or viewpoint reveals - but that's rather the point. It's the kind of place where you notice things: moss on north-facing rocks, the sound of water under the canopy, the way light filters through at different times.

If you're staying at Towy Valley Caravan Park or Coedhirion Farm Holidays nearby, this makes a solid half-morning detour. Don't come expecting manicured trails or signposting - bring a decent map and proper shoes. The woodland does what it does, which is to remind you why people bother with forests at all. Free access, as far as anyone can tell, and no gates to worry about. Best in autumn when the water's up, or spring when things are starting again.