Allt Ysgrech

The forest at Allt Ysgrech, just outside Carmarthen, is one of those places you stumble upon rather than plan for. It's proper woodland - dense, quiet, the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think. Walking trails wind through the trees, and there's genuine peace here, which frankly gets harder to find the closer you get to town.

It's best suited to people who enjoy a gentle forest walk rather than anything strenuous. Families with young children will do fine for an hour or so, though it's not the kind of spot that'll keep teenagers entertained for long. History buffs and nature lovers, though - this is bread and butter for you. The woodland itself tells stories if you know where to look.

No facilities that we could find, and we couldn't pin down exact opening times or admission costs - it appears to be fairly informal, which is refreshingly unpretentious. Allow a couple of hours maximum if you're just looking to stretch your legs. Go early morning or late afternoon when the light's better and the place feels even more atmospheric.

If you're based at Gwlad Glamping or Parkdean Resorts Carmarthen Bay Holiday Park nearby, this makes an easy morning excursion before heading elsewhere. It's not a day-long destination, but it's worth the detour if you're after some actual quiet in the Welsh countryside. Better still on a crisp autumn morning when the forest smells like it should.