Allt y Lan

The forest at Allt y Lan sits just outside Carmarthen and delivers exactly what you'd hope for - proper woodland walking without the hype. Paths wind through mixed trees, and there's genuine peace here even on weekends when the local spots get rammed.

It's a straightforward forest, not a theme park. No visitor centre, no gift shop, no nonsense. You get forest. The canopy does its job on rainy days, and the trails are decent underfoot most of the year. A solid hour gets you round the main loop, though you can potter about for longer if you're the meandering type.

Walkers and families with older kids will find it properly useful - younger ones might lose interest after forty minutes unless they're the sticks-and-stones crowd. The proximity to Carmarthen means it works well as a half-day escape rather than a destination in itself.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Woodland Rise is practically on the doorstep at less than two miles away, and the glamping options at Embrace the Space or The Welsh Farm are within easy driving distance - this is a handy morning or afternoon slot. Good for burning off energy before settling in for the evening. Free to access, no booking needed. Go when it's been dry enough that you're not trudging through mud, and you'll get on fine.