Cefn Cenarth Reserve

The Cefn Cenarth Reserve sits in that proper wild corner of Powys where the landscape still feels genuinely remote. It's a limestone grassland site - the kind of place where you'll spot things you won't see in manicured countryside. Red kites work the thermals overhead, and if you're lucky with timing, you'll catch the specialist plants that thrive on these slopes.

This is walker territory, no question. The terrain's uneven and often steep, so come prepared with decent boots and an hour or two to explore properly. It's not a stroll-round-the park kind of spot - you're here to actually move through the landscape and pay attention. Families with older kids who don't mind a bit of scrambling will get something from it; younger children might find it slow going.

The reserve works brilliantly as a half-day venture if you're camped at Ty Llewelyn or Wyeside, both within five miles of Llanidloes. Pair it with a walk down to the town itself - there's proper character there, unlike a lot of mid-Wales stops. The Clywedog Riverside sites are slightly further out but put you in the heart of this landscape, which matters when you're thinking about how much driving you want to do each morning.

Bring binoculars if you're into birds. Bring weather-appropriate kit whatever season - exposure up there is genuine. Check conditions before you go; this isn't somewhere you want to turn up in heavy rain and expect a quick look around.