Allt Gilfachwen

The woodland here is proper dense - tall conifers packed so tight that even on a bright day you're walking in dappled half-light. Allt Gilfachwen, just outside Carmarthen in Carmarthenshire, is a working forest rather than a manicured attraction, which means you get the real thing: quiet paths, the smell of pine and damp earth, and barely another soul around.

It's ideal for walkers who want an hour or two away from crowds without needing anything fancy. The trails wind through the forest floor with decent footing underfoot, though you'll want proper shoes after rain. There's something meditative about walking through endless trees - no views to chase, no Instagram moment waiting. Just forest.

Families with older kids will manage fine, though younger ones might get bored without a specific destination or waterfall to work towards. It's the kind of place you go because you want to walk in woodland, not because you're ticking off a landmark.

The beauty of basing yourself at one of the nearby glamping spots like Embrace the Space or Frowen Fields, both within five miles, is you've got this on your doorstep for a quick morning ramble. Pair it with Kaowood Country Park or the other camping sites in the area and you've got proper forest time built into your week.

No admission fee, no crowds, no fuss. That's the appeal.