LLyn Dwfn

The drive out to Llyn Dwfn takes you properly into the Powys hills, away from the coast and the bustle of Aberystwyth. It's a modest reservoir - don't expect the drama of Snowdonia - but there's something genuinely peaceful about it. The water sits dark and still most days, ringed by forestry that gives the place a quiet, introspective feel.

You can walk the perimeter fairly easily, though it's not spectacular in the way some Welsh lakes are. The appeal is more subtle: decent birdwatching if you're into that, and the kind of spot where you can actually hear yourself think. Families with young kids might find thirty minutes of interest unless they're keen walkers. Anyone doing a proper hike through mid-Wales will appreciate the detour, though.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted, and you can rock up anytime. Allow an hour for a gentle loop if you're not in a hurry. The water itself isn't warm enough for swimming to feel appealing, but the forestry walks nearby are solid.

Gwerniago Campsite sits just five miles away, making Llyn Dwfn a decent addition to a park-based holiday in the area. It works best as a morning walk before heading somewhere else rather than a destination in itself. Worth the detour if you're in Powys and fancy a bit of quiet. Skip it if you're after the postcard-perfect lake experience.