Lower Lake

The water here is proper still, almost mirror-like on a calm day, and that's what makes Lower Lake worth the drive from Swansea. It's one of three lakes in the Lliw Valley, tucked into Carmarthenshire countryside, and it's the sort of place that rewards a slow walk rather than a quick snap for Instagram. You get decent views across the water, especially from the eastern bank where the path runs closer to the shore, and on a clear day the surrounding hills give it some real presence.

This is fundamentally a walking spot. There's a circuit round the lake - takes maybe 45 minutes to an hour depending on how much you dawdle - and it's gentle enough for families with younger kids, though it can be muddy after rain. Birdwatchers will have better luck here than most visitors; the lake's got proper wildlife interest if you're prepared to be quiet. It's free to visit and accessible without booking, which is refreshing.

If you're staying at South Wales Touring Park or one of the other bases nearby, Lower Lake slots in nicely as a half-day excursion. Don't expect dramatic scenery or rare facilities - there's no café, no visitor centre. What you get instead is a genuinely peaceful corner of South Wales where you can actually hear yourself think. That counts for something. It's not a destination in itself, but it's absolutely worth adding to a wider park-based holiday in the area.