Folly Farm Country Gardens

You'll find Folly Farm Country Gardens tucked away in Carmarthenshire, just outside Kilgetty - the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan to visit, which is precisely its charm. It's part working farm, part carefully tended gardens, with enough space and variety to keep you properly occupied for an afternoon without feeling rushed.

The appeal here is straightforward: you get genuinely good views across the Carmarthenshire countryside, mature plantings that suggest someone's been at this for years rather than months, and a refreshingly low-key atmosphere. Unlike the manicured gardens you'll find elsewhere in South Wales, there's an unpretentious quality to Folly Farm. Families with younger children will find it manageable - there's room to wander without getting lost, and the farm element usually holds kids' attention longer than ornamental gardens alone.

Walkers and gardening types will get the most from this one. There are decent paths through the grounds, and if you're staying at any of the nearby parks - Swallow Tree Gardens is just three miles away, or Haven Kiln Park if you fancy something larger - you could easily pair it with a morning or afternoon visit. Allow two to three hours to do it justice without feeling hurried.

Bring a camera. The light here catches well in late afternoon, and there are some genuinely nice corners if you poke around properly. It's not going to be a life-changing experience, but it's the sort of place that rewards a visit when you're in the area.