Allt Goch

The forest at Allt Goch rises up sharply from the valley floor just inland from Lampeter, all dark conifers and dense woodland that feels genuinely wild for West Wales. It's the sort of place where you can lose an afternoon without trying - there are proper walking trails threading through, some steep enough to get your heart going, others gentle enough for a casual ramble through the trees.

What you get here is peace, frankly. No visitor centre, no café, no faffing about - just forest. The canopy is thick enough that even on drizzly days it stays relatively dry underfoot, which is something to appreciate when you're this close to the coast. Walkers will find it rewarding; families with young kids might manage an hour or so before restlessness sets in. The terrain varies enough to keep things interesting - streams, inclines, open stretches where the light breaks through.

It works well as a break from the caravan parks scattered nearby - Woodlands Holiday Park and Cambrian Mountains Glamping are both within easy striking distance if you're staying in the area. An hour's walk here, then back to the site for tea. The access appears to be free, though there's not much in the way of formal infrastructure or signage, so come prepared with decent boots and a map. Spring and autumn are probably best - summer can get a bit oppressive under all that growth, and winter, while dramatic, can be boggy. Allow two to three hours if you want to properly explore rather than just tick it off.