Penpych Waterfall

The walk to Penpych Waterfall takes you through proper woodland - the kind with mossy banks and the sound of water getting louder as you climb. It's a short trek from Port Talbot, nothing strenuous, and you'll find yourself in a steep-sided valley where the falls drop down in a satisfying cascade. The water's impressive after rainfall, less so in dry spells, but the setting itself is what makes it worth the trip.

This is good territory for families with older kids and anyone who enjoys a gentle woodland walk without committing to a full day out. You're looking at maybe an hour round trip depending on your pace. The waterfall itself isn't vast - it's intimate rather than dramatic - but that's part of its appeal. No queues, no crowds, just you and the trees.

It sits well within a broader South Wales waterfall crawl. If you're staying at Willow Springs Campsite just down the road, this is an obvious morning outing before heading to bigger attractions. The terrain can be muddy underfoot, especially after rain, so proper footwear matters more than you'd think for such a short walk.

Free to visit, obviously. No facilities at the site itself, so sort yourself out in Port Talbot first. Go when the water's running - autumn and winter are best - rather than hoping for magic on a dry summer day.