Coed Gwilym Park

You'll find yourself walking beneath ancient oak and beech trees the moment you enter Coed Gwilym Park, a proper woodland reserve just outside Swansea proper. The paths wind through dense forest where the light filters through in that distinctive green-tinted way that only old woodlands manage. It's a genuine escape from the city, not manicured or fussy - just good, honest woodland with the sort of peace that makes you remember why you came to Wales in the first place.

The reserve works brilliantly for woodland walkers and anyone after a bit of solitude. Families with younger kids might find it a touch underwhelming if they're after playground-style entertainment, but older children who actually enjoy a forest walk will be fascinated by the sheer age of the trees. Birdwatchers should pack binoculars - the canopy attracts all manner of woodland species. Most folk allow between one and two hours depending on which paths they take and how often they stop to just sit and listen.

It slots perfectly alongside a break at one of Swansea's holiday parks - Riverside Holiday Park sits just two miles away, making this an ideal morning or late-afternoon walk from your caravan or lodge. The reserve appears to be free to access, and there's no rigid opening hours system, so you've got proper flexibility. Closest town is Swansea itself, but you'll feel genuinely removed once you're under the trees. Bring good waterproofs - Welsh woodland is damp even when it's not actively raining.