Coed Clunmelyn

The forest spreads across a decent chunk of Powys countryside near Llangammarch Wells, and it's the sort of place that rewards a proper wander rather than a quick stroll. You'll find yourself among mixed woodland - decent trees, plenty of shade, and the kind of quiet that makes you realise how rarely you get it. Paths wind through without being fussy or over-engineered, which is refreshing.

This works best for walkers who want a couple of hours away from the main attractions. Families with younger kids might find it a bit thin on obvious features - there's no visitor centre or playground to anchor a visit - but if your children will happily stomp through trees and hunt for wildlife, they'll be fine here. The forest floor gets muddy when wet, so proper boots matter.

Being free and open access is a genuine plus. You can turn up whenever suits you, no booking needed, no admission fee. Allow two to three hours if you want to actually explore rather than just march through. The paths aren't signposted brilliantly, so don't expect direction boards; a map or basic route planning helps.

If you're camped at Irfon River or Riverside - both just over a mile away - this is a natural choice for a morning or afternoon out. It fits neatly into a wider Mid Wales trip combining walking and less demanding pursuits. The nearby town of Llangammarch Wells itself is small and quiet, so the forest sits as part of that landscape rather than standing alone as a destination.