Berry's Wood

The woodland around Berry's Wood offers a proper walk through mixed forest that feels genuinely tucked away from the main tourist drag. Ancient oaks and beech stand thick here, with the ground soft underfoot most of the year - bring decent boots if you've had rain. You won't find facilities or signage that'll hold your hand; this is the kind of place you come to because you want woodland, not because there's a visitor centre flogging overpriced flapjacks.

It's ideal for serious walkers rather than families after an afternoon's entertainment. The trails wind through dense cover, which means it's cool even on warm days and utterly grim in winter when the canopy drips constantly. If you're based at one of the nearby parks like Townsend Touring or Arrow Bank - both within a 5-mile radius of Presteigne - you could absolutely string together a morning walk here with other local routes without too much bother.

Allow two to three hours if you're the type to dawdle and look at moss, less if you just want to shake off cabin fever from the caravan. The forest feels genuinely alive: you'll hear far more than you'll see most days, which some find atmospheric and others find slightly eerie. Presteigne itself is the nearest proper stop for supplies, about 4 miles away. Go early in the day if you can - the light's better and you'll likely have the place to yourself.