Coed Dolobran-fâch

A proper Welsh woodland walk without the crowds you'd find at more famous forest sites. Coed Dolobran-fâch is a small working forest near Welshpool in Powys, the sort of place locals know about but most visitors skip past on the way to somewhere else. The trails wind through mixed woodland - beech, oak, and conifers - with decent views across the valley when you break through the tree line.

It's best suited to walkers after a quiet morning or afternoon away from busier attractions. Families with younger kids might find an hour here enough before they want something with more facilities. There's something satisfying about the lack of signage and visitor centres - you're walking a proper forest, not a branded experience. Allow two to three hours if you're taking the longer loops, or forty minutes for a quick circuit.

The forest works well alongside a stay at one of the nearby glamping spots or holiday parks within a couple of miles - Fir View Tan Y Ffridd, The Secret Yurts, or Oaklands Glamping are all close enough for an easy morning walk before breakfast. It's free to access, and there's room for a handful of cars near the entrance.

The real draw is the quiet. After you've done Powis Castle or the walks around Welshpool itself, this feels like breathing space. Don't expect marked trails or facilities - bring a map and proper boots. Go when the weather's decent and you want solitude, not a day out.