Pwll Llyffant

A small upland lake sitting quietly in the Powys countryside, Pwll Llyffant rewards walkers willing to venture off the beaten track. The water is ringed by moorland and rough grass - nothing manicured about it, which is rather the point. It's the sort of place you come across almost by accident while tramping between the bigger attractions of Mid Wales, or deliberately seek out if you want solitude away from the tourist crowds.

The lake itself isn't enormous, but that's part of its charm. You can walk its perimeter in an hour or so, depending on the bog underfoot and your tolerance for wet feet. The scenery is open and rolling rather than dramatically mountainous, which makes it accessible for families with younger walkers who might balk at serious peaks. Birdwatchers occasionally report sightings worth noting, though it's not the sort of reservoir with visitor facilities or organised trails.

Nearby Neath offers the usual services if you're basing yourself in the area. Four Falls Glamping sits just four miles away, making it a reasonable option for a night or two if you're exploring the region's waterways and moorland. Realistically, you won't spend your whole day here - it's more of a morning's walk than a full-day destination. But if you're already in Powys hiking or visiting other parks, it's worth the detour for a quiet hour or two. Bring proper boots though. The ground gets properly boggy after rain.