Llyn Tegid

Wales' largest natural freshwater lake sprawls across the valley floor near Bala like someone's left a massive mirror out overnight. Llyn Tegid fills the landscape so completely that driving around it takes proper commitment - the water stretches for four miles, flanked by mountains that do the heavy lifting on the views.

Most people come to walk the shoreline or bring a rod - the fishing here is decent and the lake's become something of a pilgrimage for serious anglers chasing pike and perch. The path varies; some stretches are easy enough for a Sunday stroll, others get steep and muddy depending which way round you tackle it. Allow two to three hours for a decent walk without pushing yourself. Swimming happens in summer, though it's not a beach resort affair - more serious wild swimmers than families on inflatables.

Historically inclined visitors should know there's a legend about a lost city beneath the water, which adds an odd undercurrent to staring across it. The lake's old enough and deep enough to feel genuinely mysterious on a grey day.

Tyn Cornel Camping sits just four miles away, which makes this an obvious morning or afternoon venture if you're based there for a park holiday. Fair warning though - it's less about facilities and more about landscape. No cafes, no shops, no crowds. If that sounds tedious, give it a miss. If it sounds brilliant, you've found something worth the trip.