Parc Gwledig Padarn

Lake Padarn sits in a proper glacial valley just outside Llanberis, and Parc Gwledig Padarn runs along its eastern shore - this is where you come to actually do something rather than just gawp at Snowdon from a distance. The park itself is free to wander, a genuinely lovely spot for a walk with the mountain reflected in the water on calm days. You'll find yourself on footpaths that loop the lake, passing old slate quarry remnants and woodland. It's the kind of place where you can spend two hours or five depending on how many benches you stop at.

Historically, this area was the beating heart of Wales's slate industry, and you can still see the bones of it - quarry buildings, old workings - which adds proper texture to what might otherwise be just another lakeside stroll. If you're camping at Llanberis Touring Park or Glamping in Llanberis (both barely a mile away), this is your everyday walk rather than a special day out. Snowdon looms nearby, so families often combine it with the Snowdon Mountain Railway or a walk up Llanberis Pass.

The real appeal is that it requires zero planning - no entry fees, no set hours, just turn up and go. Walkers get the most from it; small children might manage the easier paths but will tire on the longer loops. Spring and autumn are best - summer can be rammed with tourist traffic heading to Caernarfon nearby. On a grey Welsh afternoon with mist clinging to the peaks, it's genuinely atmospheric. Worth the short drive from any of the holiday parks in the area.