Gwaun Valley Waterfall

The walk down into Gwaun Valley rewards you with a proper waterfall - nothing massive, but genuine enough to make the trek worthwhile. It's a short descent through woodland that opens onto a narrow valley where the water cascades over dark rocks into a pool below. The whole thing takes maybe forty minutes from the car park, depending on your pace and how long you linger watching the water.

This one suits walkers over casual strollers. The path is manageable but uneven in places, and there's a fair bit of scrambling at the steeper bits - children who can handle rougher terrain will enjoy it, but it's not a pushover for little legs. The real appeal is the quiet. You're unlikely to find crowds, even in peak season, which makes it feel like proper discovery rather than another tick on a list.

Nearest base is Newport, which sits just outside the valley. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Llwyngwair Manor or The Hide over towards Cardigan way - this fits easily into a morning. The Gwaun Valley itself is worth exploring beyond just the waterfall. The area has old character, narrow lanes, and the sort of landscape that makes you understand why Pembrokeshire pulls people back year after year.

Go when there's been rain, ideally the day after. A dry spell leaves the waterfall looking a bit sorry for itself. Bring proper shoes - the rocks are slippery when wet, which is most of the time in Wales.