Johnstown Park

The Towy Valley around Carmarthen holds some proper woodland walking, and Johnstown Park is one of those local reserves that rewards a quiet morning rather than demanding a full day. It's a nature reserve where you'll find yourself among mature trees and riverside paths - the kind of place where you actually notice bird calls instead of being distracted by crowds.

What you're doing here is straightforward: walking. There are paths through woodland, and the Towy runs nearby, which means the whole thing has that damp, green feeling that makes South Wales tick. It's not dramatic - no waterfalls or dramatic gorges - but it's genuine countryside and feels a world away from the tourist trails. Birdwatchers and casual nature types will get more out of it than kids after thrills, though a family walk of an hour or so is perfectly reasonable.

The reserve sits within easy striking distance of several caravan parks - Church House Farm Getaways is barely two and a half miles away, and from there you've got Quarry Lodge and Steffan Valley within the same radius. It makes sense as a morning walk if you're based at one of these sites for a few days exploring Carmarthenshire.

No information readily available about admission or formal opening times, which suggests it's either free and unsupervised, or worth ringing ahead. The practical thing is to check locally in Carmarthen before you head out - it's close enough that you won't waste time. Come early to see wildlife, and bring waterproofs: Welsh woodland stays damp.