Panwaun Pen-y-Coetgae

The walk up Panwaun Pen-y-Coetgae rewards you with one of those rare South Wales views where you can actually see for miles. It's not a gruelling slog either - the peak sits just outside Port Talbot and takes most people under an hour to reach from the car park. The moorland landscape here feels properly wild, nothing like the tidy valleys you get further east.

On a clear day the vistas stretch across Swansea Bay and back toward the Brecon Beacons. On a grey one - which, let's be honest, is about half the year - it's still atmospheric in that brooding Welsh way. The path is well-trodden and straightforward enough for families with older children, though younger ones might find the final section a bit steep.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's the sort of place where you want to sit with a flask and just absorb the space. Port Talbot itself isn't exactly a destination town, but if you're camping at Willow Springs Campsite nearby - which genuinely has excellent reviews - this makes a proper morning outing. Combine it with a coastal walk down toward Aberavon Beach if the mood takes you.

Go early or late to avoid the afternoon crowds. The moorland can feel exposed in strong winds, so check the weather first. Free to access, naturally. Allow a couple of hours if you're not rushing.