Coed Maes-y-pandy

The forest floor at Coed Maes-y-pandy is thick with moss and fallen branches - the kind of place where your footsteps actually matter. This woodland sits just outside Machynlleth in Gwynedd, and it's proper walking country rather than a manicured park stroll. You're talking mixed broadleaf and conifer, with paths that wind through the trees and open onto views across the surrounding hills when you find a clearing. It's the sort of forest where you genuinely feel removed from things, even though you're only minutes from the town.

Walkers will get the most out of this. It's not a destination with a visitor centre or cafe - you come here to move through the trees and breathe differently for a couple of hours. The paths aren't marked particularly well, so it rewards people who like a bit of exploration and don't mind occasionally backtracking. Kids might last an hour before asking when you're going back, unless they're the type who build camps from sticks and jump in puddles.

Gwerniago Campsite sits just 5.6 miles away and is well-rated enough to be worth considering if you're planning a proper forest break in mid-Wales. The woodland works well as a morning walk before heading into Machynlleth for lunch - enough to clear your head without consuming your entire day. Go early if you want solitude. Late afternoon light filters through the canopy beautifully, but the paths get darker faster than you'd expect.