Allt y Fedw

You'll find yourself in proper Welsh woodland the moment you step into Allt y Fedw, just outside Carmarthen. It's a forest walk rather than a manicured attraction - the kind of place where you crunch through fallen leaves and the canopy gets genuinely dark even on bright days.

The main draw here is the river that cuts through the valley. Water tumbles over rocks, pools form where you can actually stop and breathe for a bit, and there's enough shade to make it pleasant even when South Wales is having one of its rare warm spells. The paths are well-trodden but not obvious - you'll need to take your time reading the ground. Allow a good two hours if you're not rushing, maybe ninety minutes if you just want the main loop.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not strenuous enough to be a proper hill workout, but it's genuine countryside rather than a park stroll. Families with older kids will be fine; little ones might find the muddy bits tricky depending on the season. There's something satisfying about a forest that hasn't been landscaped to death.

Free to access, as far as anyone knows. The nearest amenities are back in Carmarthen town itself. If you're staying at Embrace the Space up the road - those luxury yurts with hot tubs are only four miles away - Allt y Fedw makes a proper morning's outing before you settle in for an afternoon soak. It's the kind of walk that clears your head without demanding too much of your legs.