Bryn Mawr

The walk up Bryn Mawr isn't particularly long, but it's steep enough that you'll feel it in your thighs by the top. From Brecon, this peak in the Carmarthenshire section of the Beacons is a proper workout - roughly 500 metres of ascent depending on your route - but the payoff is genuine. On a clear day the views stretch across the Black Mountains towards Abergavenny and beyond. It's the kind of spot where you understand why people move to Wales and don't leave.

This one's for walkers rather than casual visitors. There's no café at the summit, no visitor centre, no facilities full stop - just grass, wind, and space. Allow two to three hours for a round trip depending on fitness and which path you take from the lower slopes. Families with younger kids might find it a slog, but teenagers who've got their walking legs will love it. The Brecon Beacons Camping & Caravan Park sits about 5.7 miles away, making it an easy base if you're planning a few days tackling multiple peaks in the area.

Go early if you can, especially in summer - late afternoon brings midges and fading light. Spring's probably the sweet spot, when the moorland's starting to wake up but you're not fighting school holidays crowds. The ascent climbs through working sheep country, so mind the gates and don't let dogs chase livestock. It's free, obviously, and you'll likely have the summit to yourself on a weekday.