Oak Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a tourist attraction, Oak Wood sits just outside Builth Wells and delivers exactly what you'd hope for - mature oaks, decent paths, and enough space to actually feel like you've left civilisation behind. There's no visitor centre, no car park with an ice cream van, just trees and a few trails that wind through what feels like genuine forest rather than managed parkland.

It's ideal for walkers who don't need to be shepherded round on colour-coded routes. Families with decent-length legs will find it rewarding, though younger kids might lose interest after thirty minutes unless you make a proper morning of it and pack a picnic. The woodland floor is soft underfoot most of the season, and the canopy gets properly thick in summer - good news if you're visiting during one of those rare Welsh heatwaves.

Campers staying at Penmaenau Farm or Celtic Woodland Holidays, both within striking distance, could slot this into a morning before heading to a town afternoon. It's the sort of place that works best when you're not rushing. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you want to explore properly rather than just marching through.

There's something refreshingly unselfconscious about Oak Wood. It doesn't try to be anything other than a woodland, which in a landscape increasingly dotted with attractions and experiences, feels rather honest. Worth the detour if you're based in the area, though it's not the reason to plan a holiday around Builth Wells.