Resolven Mountain

The walk up Resolven Mountain isn't technically difficult, but it's steep enough that you'll feel your legs working. Starting from Port Talbot side, the path climbs through moorland with views opening up across the valley - on a clear day you can see right across to the Brecon Beacons. The summit itself is fairly bare, windswept even in summer, but that's actually the point. You're standing at 1,515 feet with nothing between you and the horizon.

Walkers will find this rewarding without needing technical kit. It's a two to three hour round trip depending on fitness, and the terrain is straightforward enough for teenagers who don't mind a proper climb. Families with younger kids might find the ascent a slog - the reward at the top is landscape rather than a cafe or visitor centre, so manage expectations accordingly.

Go in the morning if you can. The wind picks up by afternoon, and the mist rolls in from nowhere. Free, naturally. If you're camping at Willow Springs just down the way, this makes an excellent half-day sortie that won't eat into holiday time. The town of Port Talbot itself isn't exactly a draw - industrial heritage and all that - but the mountain itself justifies the visit. Real Wales, no frills.