Montgomery canal nature trail

The Montgomery Canal runs for about 33 miles through some genuinely lovely Mid Wales countryside, and the nature trail section near Welshpool is where you'll want to spend an afternoon if you're after a proper easy walk. The towpath itself is dead flat - no climbing involved - which makes it accessible for most people, from toddlers to grandparents, though you'll want decent shoes if the ground's been wet.

What you actually get is a quiet water corridor lined with trees, wildflowers depending on season, and genuine chances to spot water birds and dragonflies. It's not dramatic scenery, but it's exactly the kind of gentle ramble that makes sense when you've got a caravan holiday nearby. The canal has that particular kind of peace that comes from nobody rushing anywhere.

Walkers will appreciate the flat-out simplicity of it. Birdwatchers will find it rewarding. Young kids won't be bored for hours on end - call it 45 minutes to an hour before they start asking about ice cream. If you're staying at Severn Caravan Resort Park or Maes Yr Afon, both within a couple of miles, this is the kind of thing that fills a morning without fuss.

There's no visitor centre that we're aware of, no admission charge, and no particular opening hours - it's a public towpath. Go early if you value peace, or late afternoon when the light softens. Spring and summer are obviously nicer than November, but that's not exactly surprising.