Pwllglas

Pwllglas is a modest lake just outside Aberystwyth, the sort of place locals know about and tourists mostly miss. The walk down takes you through woodland with decent views across the water, and on a clear day you can see right across to the Cardigan Bay shoreline beyond. It's quiet - genuinely quiet. You won't find crowds here or any facilities to speak of, which is either brilliant or tedious depending on what you're after.

Walkers get the most from it. The paths are straightforward but can be muddy, especially after rain, and the whole loop takes an hour or so depending on your pace. Families with young kids might find it a bit anticlimactic - there's nowhere to paddle, no visitor centre, no ice cream van. If your children need constant stimulation, they'll be bored within twenty minutes. But if they're the type who'll chase dragonflies and skip stones, they'll have a proper time.

It works well as a morning outing if you're staying at one of the nearby campsites like Tyn Ffordd Fach or Woodlands Caravan Park. Pair it with a walk down to Aberystwyth seafront afterwards - the lake is only a couple of miles inland. The main road runs close by, so don't expect wilderness solitude, but it's a decent break from the coast if you're spending a week in the area. Go early to avoid other walkers, and bring wellies.