Brynmill Park

A proper little pocket of woodland in the middle of Swansea - Brynmill Park is the sort of place locals know about but tourists often miss entirely. The park centres around a decent-sized lake with walking trails threading through mature trees, and there's enough green space here to genuinely feel like you've stepped away from the city, even though you're minutes from the town centre.

You'll find it most useful if you're after a peaceful morning walk or fancy a spot of wildlife watching. Bird enthusiasts do well out of it - the lake attracts waterfowl throughout the year. It's free to access and the paths are well-maintained, making it accessible for families with younger kids who don't fancy proper hiking. Allow a good hour if you want to loop the lake and poke about the wooded bits without rushing.

Timing-wise, dawn and dusk are when you'll see the most wildlife, though weekday mornings beat weekends for peace and quiet. The park works nicely as a wind-down if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan sites like Swansea Marina Tourer Park or Blackhills Leisure - neither sets the world alight, but they're convenient bases for exploring Swansea itself. Brynmill fits the bill for that mandatory 'green space' stop every park holiday needs. Not dramatic or Instagram-worthy, but genuine and genuinely pleasant.