Resolven Park

The woodland walk through Resolven Park hits different in autumn, when the canopy turns proper golden and the paths get carpeted with leaves. You're looking at a genuine nature reserve tucked into the valleys above Port Talbot, not some manicured tourist trap. The reserve itself is fairly compact, so don't expect to lose an entire day here, but it's brilliant for a solid couple of hours if you've got good boots and don't mind a bit of mud.

What you get is woodland trails threading through deciduous forest, the sort of place where you might spot rabbits or hear woodpeckers if you're lucky and quiet. The walking is straightforward rather than strenuous - ideal if you're bringing kids or grandparents along. There's genuine greenery here, well away from the industrial grit of Port Talbot itself, which makes it feel more remote than it actually is.

Best visited in spring or autumn when the weather's mild and you're not melting in summer heat. The reserve works well as a morning sortie if you're based at Willow Springs Campsite, just a few miles down the road. You can knock it out before lunch and still have time to explore Port Talbot's coastal bits. Bring a thermos and make it proper - these Welsh valleys deserve that kind of attention. Free to enter, naturally, and there's no fussing about with visitor centres or queues.