Plas-y-gors

You'll find yourself in proper woodland the moment you arrive at Plas-y-gors, just outside Neath in Powys. It's a forest walk rather than a manicured attraction - the kind of place where you crunch through leaf litter and the canopy does most of the talking. The trails wind through mixed woodland with decent elevation changes, so it feels like proper countryside rather than a park ramble.

This is ideal for walkers who want something genuine without the visitor centre crowds. Families with kids old enough to manage uneven ground will get on fine here, though younger ones might find the lack of facilities a bit limiting. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're exploring properly - rushing through defeats the purpose.

The beauty of Plas-y-gors is how it sits between the Brecon Beacons hiking territory and the valley floor. If you're staying at Brecon Beacons Camping & Caravan Park or one of the local glamping spots like Four Falls just down the road, this makes a sensible half-day outing without the drive. Weather matters - wet underfoot can get muddy - so aim for drier spells. It's the sort of place that rewards going when others don't, when the forest feels like it belongs entirely to you. No crowds, no gift shop, just trees and footpaths. That's either exactly what you want or not what you want at all.