Llyn Efyrnwy / Lake Vyrnwy

The moment you round the bend and Lake Vyrnwy comes into view, you understand why people drive out to this corner of Powys deliberately. It's a proper reservoir - built in the 1880s to supply Liverpool with water - but what matters now is the 4-mile circuit of woodland paths and open shoreline that makes it one of Mid Wales's best walking destinations.

You can do the full loop in about 90 minutes at a steady pace, or potter about for half a day if you're the type who stops to watch the birds. There's a visitor centre with facilities near the dam, and the views across the water toward the Berwyns aren't oversold - they genuinely are worth the trip from Welshpool. On a clear day it's cracking. On a grey one, it's atmospheric in that Welsh way that either appeals to you completely or doesn't at all.

Walkers will get the most from it. The paths are well-maintained and mostly gentle, though there are sections through proper woodland where kids under eight might need carrying if you've underestimated their stamina. It's free to access - no car park charges that I'm aware of - which makes it a sensible add-on if you're staying at one of the nearby sites like Camp Plas or Riverbend Caravan Park.

Water sports happen here too - sailing and fishing, if that's your thing. But honestly, it's the walking and the quiet that keeps people coming back. Bring binoculars if you're into that sort of birding. Leave your expectations of dramatic peaks elsewhere.