Cae Coed

Head inland from Aberystwyth and you'll find Cae Coed, a proper forest that gives you a taste of proper Welsh woodland without the crowds you'd get at some of the more famous spots. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think - paths wind through dense trees, and if you time it right (early morning or a weekday) you might see roe deer or hear woodpeckers hammering away overhead.

The forest itself isn't massive, so don't expect to lose yourself for hours, but that's rather the point. A couple of hours is enough to feel like you've properly escaped, maybe longer if you're the sort who stops every five minutes to photograph moss or fungi. The terrain is manageable for families with older kids, though younger ones might find the tree roots a bit fiddly. Walkers will appreciate the quieter atmosphere - it's the antidote to honeypot beauty spots.

Being free and unrestricted, you can roll up whenever it suits you. Spring's lovely for bluebells if you're lucky, but honestly, any season works if you want to dodge the seaside tourists. It fits perfectly with a park holiday based at somewhere like Woodlands Caravan Park or Forester's Retreat Glamping - close enough for a morning walk before you do the seaside stuff Aberystwyth's known for, but different enough to break up a week of beach time. Not dramatic or famous, but sometimes that's exactly what a forest should be.