Kinsley Wood

The walk up Kinsley Wood rewards you with proper views across Mid Wales - the sort of landscape that makes you understand why people move to Powys and never leave. It's not a dramatic peak, but that's rather the point. From Presteigne, it's an easy enough outing, and the woodland path itself is pleasant enough even if the summit itself won't stop you in your tracks.

You're looking at a decent hill walk rather than a scramble. The trees give way towards the top, and once you've got your breath back, the vistas across the valleys justify the effort. It's the kind of spot where walkers genuinely prefer it to the honeypot peaks - fewer people, quieter, and the light changes beautifully through the day.

Allow a couple of hours there and back depending on fitness. Spring and autumn are when it's really worth the walk; summer can feel a bit heavy with the tree cover, and winter mud is genuine here. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the descent tedious on the knees.

If you're staying at Black Hall Lodges or Rockbridge Park - both excellent bases - Kinsley Wood works brilliantly as a morning walk before heading elsewhere. It won't eat your whole day, which means you can combine it with exploring Presteigne itself or pushing on to better-known routes in the area. The admission is free, which is how it should be.