Penllergaer forest walk

The woodland paths through Penllergaer feel properly restorative - dense green canopy, the sound of water from the valley floor, and enough elevation to make your legs remember they've worked. It's a genuine forest walk rather than a manicured park stroll, with roots across the trail and sections that get muddy after rain.

You're looking at a couple of hours minimum if you want to do it justice. The main draw is the mix of open grassland and thick woodland, plus views across the Swansea Valley when the trees thin out. Walkers with decent boots will get the most from it; families with young kids can manage the easier sections, though the steep bits mean it's not ideal for pushchairs. History types will appreciate the old industrial heritage dotted about - the area has coal mining roots that you can still read in the landscape.

It's free to access, which is always welcome. Timing-wise, spring shows the woodland floor at its best, but frankly, any time except deep winter when the paths become treacherous is fine.

If you're based at Black Ewe Glamping or South Wales Touring Park just outside Swansea, Penllergaer is a proper morning or afternoon option without needing to drive far. It breaks up a park holiday nicely - you get outside the caravan for some genuine exercise without the faff of traveling to somewhere like Gower. The trails aren't signed brilliantly, so go in with a rough map rather than expecting waymarks.