Llyn Tomos Lewis

A small glacial lake tucked into the Gwynedd hills, Llyn Tomos Lewis sits about six miles south of Caernarfon and feels genuinely off the beaten track. The water is dark and cold, ringed by steep banks covered in bracken and conifer plantation - proper Welsh upland scenery without the crowds you'd find at somewhere like Llyn Padarn or Llyn Peris.

There's not much infrastructure here, which is either the point or a disappointment depending on what you're after. You won't find facilities, cafes, or a visitor centre - just the lake and the hills. Walkers will get the most from it, particularly those exploring the quieter routes around Caernarfon's hinterland. The footpaths are decent enough, though the terrain is boggy in places and the whole area gets properly wet in bad weather.

If you're staying at Coed Helen Holiday Park nearby, it's worth a morning's walk rather than a destination on its own. The lake itself takes maybe twenty minutes to circuit properly, longer if you explore the higher ground around it. The views back towards Snowdonia are solid on a clear day, though you'll want decent weather - it can feel bleak and exposed in the rain.

Free to visit, as far as anyone knows. Bring waterproof boots and expect solitude rather than scenery postcard drama. It's the kind of place that appeals to people who actually want to avoid other visitors, not those chasing Instagram shots.