Coed Doctor

The woodland around Coed Doctor, just outside Caernarfon in Gwynedd, is proper Wales - steep hillsides thick with conifers and the kind of place where mist rolls in without warning. You're looking at a working forest rather than some manicured country estate, which means it feels genuine. Paths wind through the trees, offering decent walks at various levels of effort, though nothing too strenuous if you're after an easy afternoon stroll.

This is where you come if you want to stretch your legs without crowds or the tourist machinery. Walkers get the most from it - the forest canopy provides cover on drizzly days, and there's something satisfying about the smell of damp earth and pine. Families with young kids will find it manageable for an hour or so, though there's little in the way of facilities or interpretation boards to keep them entertained beyond the walk itself.

If you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks - Llanberis Touring Park is practically on the doorstep, while Snowdon View or Bryn Gloch offer slightly more space - Coed Doctor works as a useful half-morning activity before heading to bigger attractions like Snowdon itself. The beauty of it is you can make it as long or short as you need. No admission fees to worry about, no booking required. Just turn up and walk.