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The forest around Llangammarch Wells is one of those places you stumble upon rather than plan for - dense woodland that sprawls across the Powys landscape like it's been there forever, which it basically has. Walking through it properly requires proper boots; the paths get boggy after rain and the canopy sits so thick overhead that you lose track of time in minutes.

You're looking at ancient mixed woodland here - oak, birch, and conifers all tangled together - with streams running through that make for decent spots to stop and listen to nothing but water and birds. It's the kind of forest that appeals to serious walkers and families who don't mind their kids getting muddy. Photography types find plenty to work with too, especially when the light filters through in that particular way it does in autumn.

Time-wise, you can do an hour's gentle wander or commit to a proper half-day trek depending on what you're after. There's no visitor centre or facilities that I'm aware of, so bring what you need. The nearest town of Llangammarch Wells is small and close by, which keeps things convenient.

If you're based at one of the local caravan parks - Riverside or Irfon River are both within a couple of miles - this becomes a natural extension of your stay. It's not dramatic or famous, but that's precisely what makes it work. You get solitude without the crowds, proper woodland without the postcards.