Mawddach Estuary

The Mawddach Estuary sprawls across the landscape where the river meets the sea near Barmouth, and it's one of those places that rewards you for actually getting out of the car. Walk the old railway line that shadows the water, and you'll understand why Victorian tourists came here in droves. The views shift constantly - one moment you're looking across mudflats and salt marsh, the next the mountains of Snowdonia rear up behind you.

It's brilliant for walkers who don't need to be hammering out miles. The gentle gradient along the old track suits all abilities, though you'll want proper boots if it's been wet. Birdwatchers get genuinely excited here - herons, egrets, curlews - and the light at low tide does something special to the foreshore that photographers can't resist. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're doing a proper walk, longer if you're stopping to look about.

The estuary works well as part of a broader park holiday in the area. Hendre Mynach sits barely over a mile away, making it a quick morning stroll from your pitch. Barmouth itself is just down the coast, so you're not marooned. The real charm is that nothing here feels managed or polished - it's genuinely wild, with the kind of weather that arrives in about three minutes. Go when the tide's out and the light's decent. Skip it on a grey drizzly afternoon unless you're proper into mudflats.