Craig Yr Aber Woods

The woodland path at Craig Yr Aber is a proper slice of South Wales countryside, just inland from Porthcawl. You're walking through mixed broadleaf forest with the stream - which gives the place its name - running alongside for much of the route. It's the sort of place where you actually hear birdsong rather than traffic, which says something given how close it is to the coast.

The woods themselves aren't huge, but they're well-tended and the paths are clear enough. There are a few decent viewpoints looking out over the surrounding valleys, and on a clear day you get a real sense of how the Welsh landscape just keeps rolling. Most visitors spend an hour to ninety minutes here, which feels about right before you've done the main circuit and exhausted the exploring.

It works well for families with older kids - anyone who can manage uneven ground and doesn't mind a bit of mud. Younger children might find it a touch repetitive after the first half hour. Walkers will appreciate it as a warm-up or cool-down rather than a serious hike. The nature reserve aspect is genuine, so you're actually contributing something by visiting, even if you're just there for a walk.

Free to access, no facilities on-site that I could see, so bring water. Best visited after rain when the stream's running properly. It slots nicely alongside Trecco Bay Holiday Park if you're based there - close enough for a morning outing without eating into your day.