Fryth Wood

Deep in Monmouthshire, a few miles north of Chepstow, Fryth Wood is the sort of place you stumble into rather than specifically plan for - though you really should plan for it. It's proper woodland walking territory: dense, atmospheric, with a genuine sense of being away from things even though you're minutes from the town.

The wood itself is a mixed forest, the kind where you get that lovely cathedral feeling under the canopy. Paths wind through, some well-trodden, others less so. The ground's usually soft from leaf fall, and on a quiet morning you'll see evidence of deer and woodland birds. It's not dramatic in the showy sense - no waterfalls or viewpoints - but it rewards the unhurried walker.

This works best for adults and older kids who actually enjoy being in a forest without needing something to "do". It's ideal for clearing your head, though you could combine it with a broader ramble through the area. If you're staying at Penhein Glamping, it's close enough for a proper morning walk before breakfast.

Allow two hours if you want to explore properly rather than just tick it off. No facilities that I could find, so bring water. The best time is autumn when the leaf colour is proper stunning, or spring when the woodland floor's alive with growth.

Fryth Wood won't blow your mind, but it's the kind of place that reminds you why walking in Wales is worth doing.