Coed Cilygroeslwyd North Wales Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve

A proper Welsh woodland, this one - the sort of place where you actually feel like you've stepped away from things rather than just wandered round a manicured loop. Coed Cilygroeslwyd sits near Ruthin in Denbighshire, and it's managed by the North Wales Wildlife Trust, which means the paths are maintained without being over-done.

The reserve is mixed deciduous woodland with a stream running through it, and the walk itself takes maybe 45 minutes to an hour depending on pace and how many times you stop to look at birds. Early morning or dusk is when you'll spot most wildlife - buzzards overhead, possibly red squirrels if you're lucky, and the understory's thick with ferns and moss.

This appeals most to walkers and nature enthusiasts rather than families with small kids. The paths aren't buggy-friendly and there's not much in the way of facilities - you need to bring your own interest, really. It's free to access, which is a bonus.

Stay at Clwydian Glamping Pods and Campsite, just 2.8 miles away (five-star rated, worth booking ahead), and you've got a genuine woodland walk on your doorstep. Better than some of the more touristed nature reserves in the region because it's quiet - sometimes feels like you've got the place to yourself. Worth a morning visit if you're based locally, though I wouldn't drive more than 20 minutes out of your way for it alone.