Rhiw Pool

The water at Rhiw Pool sits absolutely still on a calm day - dark and reflective, surrounded by the kind of quiet that makes you remember why you came to Mid Wales in the first place. It's a modest lake in Powys, nothing dramatic, but that's rather the point. There's a decent walk around it if you're after some proper legwork, and the scenery is gentle rather than showy - rolling hills, a bit of woodland, the sort of landscape that grows on you.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a destination you'd drive an hour to see, but if you're based near Presteigne, it's well worth the detour. Families with young kids might find thirty minutes enough, though older children who actually enjoy a walk will appreciate the loop. The real appeal here is the peace - no gift shop, no crowds, just you and the water and whatever birds are about.

If you're staying at Hush Hush Glamping or Presteigne Holiday Park (both excellent, by the way), Rhiw Pool makes a natural morning or late-afternoon outing. It's close enough that you won't waste precious holiday time driving, far enough that it feels like an adventure. Bring binoculars if you're into that sort of thing. The ground can be boggy after rain, so decent boots are advisable rather than optional.