Llyn Du

A small dark lake tucked into the Ceredigion hills near Aberystwyth, Llyn Du sits quietly away from the tourist crowds. The water is properly black - hence the name - and surrounded by steep slopes thick with conifers and rough moorland. You're looking at maybe twenty minutes' drive inland from Aberystwyth town centre, following narrow lanes that get progressively more rural.

It's a walker's spot rather than a destination for sitting about. The paths around the lake are decent enough, muddy in places and not particularly well-signposted, so bring a map or check conditions before you go. Most people allow an hour for a circuit, though you can make it longer if you fancy pushing up into the higher moorland. The scenery is proper Welsh upland stuff - open, windswept, a bit moody even on decent days.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit of a slog given the terrain and lack of facilities. Walkers and landscape photographers will get more from it. There's something almost austere about the place that works against it being overly touristy, which is rather the point.

Being free and unfenced, you can visit whenever you fancy. If you're staying at Woodlands Caravan Park or Brynllwyd Glamping - both within six miles - this makes a solid half-day excursion to break up a seaside-focused holiday. Don't expect crowds or cafes. That's the appeal.