Garth Hill

You get a proper sense of scale standing on Garth Hill. The drive up from Port Talbot is straightforward enough, winding through industrial sprawl before the landscape opens out and you realise you've climbed into something genuinely wild. The view south towards the coast is the main draw - on a clear day you can see right across to the Glamorgan coastline, and the Neath valley spreads out beneath you with a clarity that makes the suburbs feel impossibly distant.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a gentle potter - there's proper elevation, and the paths can be muddy depending on the weather - but it's achievable for most fitness levels and the reward at the top justifies the effort. Kids over eight or so won't find it boring if they're into outdoor stuff; younger ones might grumble about the climb.

The whole experience takes two to three hours comfortably if you're not rushed. It's free and there are no barriers or admission fees to worry about. Early morning visits pay off - fewer people and better light for photographs.

If you're based at Willow Springs Campsite nearby, this makes an excellent morning excursion before heading back for lunch. It's the sort of place that reminds you why you bothered leaving the caravan in the first place. Not a spectacular destination in isolation, but genuinely rewarding within a week's exploration of the area.