Bryn Llwyn

Bryn Llwyn sits just outside Machynlleth in Ceredigion, a modest Welsh peak that doesn't announce itself as anything grand but rewards the effort nonetheless. It's an easy walk from the nearby village, taking you up through moorland and rough grass where the views expand as you climb - east towards the Cambrian Mountains, west towards the coast if the light's right.

You won't find crowds here. That's partly because it's not high enough to draw the fell-runners and partly because most visitors stick to the bigger names. The walk takes a decent hour both ways depending on your pace and how many times you stop to catch your breath. Bring proper boots - the ground's boggy in patches, especially after rain.

Walkers will get proper value from it. Families with primary-age kids will manage fine if they're used to the outdoors; secondary-age teenagers might find it a bit short on drama. History types won't find much up there - it's the landscape itself that's the draw, not any ruins or monuments.

It's free, obviously - there's nothing to pay. No visitor centre, no facilities at the top. Machynlleth itself has cafes and shops where you can grab something before or after. If you're based at Gwerniago Campsite or Searivers Caravan Park nearby, this makes a sensible morning or afternoon outing without needing to drive far. Clear your schedule for three hours total and you'll not feel rushed.