Gnoll Country Park

The River Tawe cuts through a proper gorge here, all steep wooded banks and clear water that actually looks inviting rather than industrial. Gnoll Country Park sits on the edge of Swansea, far enough out to feel genuinely wild but close enough that you're not spending half your holiday in the car.

It's a walkers' park, plainly. The trails wind up through broadleaf woodland - oak, ash, the good stuff - with enough gradient to keep your legs honest without turning it into a mountaineering expedition. Most people will do the main loop in around two hours. The gorge section is the payoff, where the trees press in and the river noise actually drowns out any traffic from beyond the park boundary.

Historically, there's an old ironworks site dotted about if you know where to look, though the park hasn't made a song and dance of it with signs. That'll either appeal to you or it won't. Kids under eight might find the walking bit tedious, but older ones who like scrambling over rocks and spotting water creatures will get proper value from it.

Admission appears to be free, which is frankly brilliant for what's on offer. Allow a solid morning or afternoon. The park works well alongside the nearby holiday parks - SWDA Riverside is genuinely excellent, five miles away - as somewhere to burn off energy between days exploring Swansea itself. Don't expect facilities beyond a car park and maybe a bin or two.