Coetgea Sara

Deep in the Carmarthenshire hills near Llangadog sits Coetgea Sara, a proper Welsh forest that feels worlds away from the caravan parks dotting the valley below. It's the kind of place where you can lose an hour without noticing - ancient woodland with the River Towy nearby, thick with oak and beech, quiet enough to actually hear yourself think.

Walkers will get the most from it. There are decent paths threading through, though nothing manicured or signposted like a country estate. You're picking your way through proper forest, which some will love and others will find a bit annoying if they're after an easy stroll. The riverbank sections are lovely in spring when the water's running high.

It's free to wander as far as I can tell - no gates, no visitor centre, just forest. Allow a couple of hours if you're properly exploring, though you can do a quick loop in forty minutes. Go in autumn and you'll have the place to yourself. Summer gets a bit sticky in there, all damp and close.

If you're staying at one of the caravan parks within a few miles - Barons Court, Erwlon, or Cosmos Camping are all nearby - this makes a proper alternative to driving further afield. It's the real Wales without the tourist infrastructure, which is either a feature or a bug depending on what you're after. Kids who like climbing and adventure will get something out of it. Anyone after a manicured forest trail might find it a touch rough around the edges.