Pwll Gwy-rhoc

Drive into the Brecon Beacons from Crickhowell and you'll find yourself at this modest lake tucked into the Powys landscape. Pwll Gwy-rhoc is the sort of spot that rewards walkers and nature watchers rather than day-trippers after a quick photo stop. The water sits quiet and reflective, bordered by hillside and scrub - it's genuinely peaceful, which in peak season is rare enough to be valuable.

The lake itself doesn't demand hours - an hour's walk around it suits most people fine. Families with younger kids might find it a bit low-key unless they're keen on spotting birds or just splashing about at the water's edge. History types will appreciate the fact it sits in genuine Welsh hill country, away from the tourist-packed stretches further south.

Walkers heading out from Crickhowell should add this into a longer circuit rather than making it a standalone trip. The approach from town is straightforward, though the final pull up to the lake has a bit of a gradient to it. Spring and autumn are best - summer can bring crowds if the weather's good, though nothing compared to the Brecon Reservoir circuit nearby.

If you're based at Cwmdu Campsite just down the road, it's a logical half-day excursion that doesn't eat into your broader park holiday plans. Free to visit, obviously, and you won't need more than comfortable boots and an hour to get the most from it. Don't expect facilities - this is proper quiet lake country.