Margam Lake

The walk around Margam Lake takes you through proper South Wales countryside, just inland from Porthcawl. It's a straightforward circuit of about two miles, mostly flat, with the water reflecting whatever the sky decides to throw at you on the day.

You'll find families here on weekends doing the loop with pushchairs, dog walkers plugging away with their spaniels, and the occasional keen photographer waiting for the light to hit right. The lake itself isn't dramatic - no dramatic cliffs or mountains - but it has that quiet, unhurried feel that makes you realise why people bother. Birdwatchers rate it. The wooded sections give decent shelter when the wind picks up off the Bristol Channel, which it often does.

Entry is free, and you can knock out the full circuit in an hour without rushing, or stretch it to ninety minutes if you're stopping to watch the water. There's parking at the access point, though it fills up on fine Saturdays. Spring and early autumn tend to feel less crowded than summer holidays.

If you're staying at Trecco Bay Holiday Park - a six-mile drive away - this works as a proper break from the caravan without committing to a full day out. The seaside towns like Porthcawl are closer, but Margam offers something different: freshwater, trees, the chance to actually think. Worth the detour if you're already in the area.