Coed Porthangel

Walk into Coed Porthangel and you're stepping into proper Welsh woodland - the kind of place where the trees crowd in close and you can hear yourself think. It's a forest just outside Aberystwyth that offers decent walking without the crowds you'd find on the coastal paths. The woodland trails wind through mixed trees, ferns underfoot, and if you're lucky you'll spot birds and the occasional red squirrel darting between branches.

This is ideal for families who want to burn off some energy without committing to a full day hike. Most people manage an hour or so here and feel they've had a proper walk. The trails aren't demanding - no scrambling, no steep climbs - which means younger kids and anyone not up for mountain work will cope fine. Bring wellies if it's been wet; the ground gets boggy in places.

Historically it's been working woodland for centuries, though these days it's more about letting people enjoy the forest rather than logging it. There's no visitor centre or facilities that we know of, so come prepared - bring water and a map if you want to stay on route.

If you're staying at Clarach Bay Holiday Village or Aber Bay just down the road, it's a ten-minute drive away. Pair it with Aberystwyth's seafront for a balanced day - woodland in the morning, chips on the prom in the afternoon. The forest does what it sets out to do: gives you trees, fresh air, and a bit of Wales without the theatrics.