Grongar Hill

The walk up Grongar Hill rewards you with one of the finest views in the Towy Valley - the kind of prospect that makes you understand why John Dryden felt compelled to write a poem about it in the 1720s. It's not a brutal climb by any stretch. The path from Llandeilo is straightforward enough, taking about 45 minutes to reach the summit, and you'll pass the ruins of a folly tower near the top - a romantic Victorian addition that's long since crumbled into a picturesque shell.

On a clear day, the panorama unfolds across rolling Carmarthenshire farmland toward the Black Mountains. The Towy Valley spreads out beneath you in proper patchwork fashion. On less clement days it's honestly a bit underwhelming, so weather matters here. Allow a good two hours if you're not a rushed walker, and pack water.

This works brilliantly as a half-day jaunt if you're staying at Ravenscroft Retreats or Towy Valley Caravan Park - both are virtually on the doorstep. Families with older kids will manage it fine. Younger children might find the descent tedious. It's free, there's no gate or barrier, and you simply turn up and go.

Historically minded visitors will appreciate the Dryden connection and that folly, though there's not much else to investigate once you're up there. The real draw is the walking itself and that moment when the view clicks into place. Go on a decent weather day and it's time well spent. Go on a damp grey morning and you might wonder why you bothered.