Coed Porth-amel North Wales Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve

The woodland here is proper thick - mature oak and ash that's been left to do its own thing for years, which is exactly why the Wildlife Trust runs it. You're walking into genuine ancient forest, the sort that would've covered most of Wales before we got busy with sheep farming. The paths are straightforward enough, threading through dense undergrowth where you'll spot woodland birds if you're quiet and lucky. Nuthatches, woodpeckers, the occasional buzzard overhead.

It's free to wander, and you won't need more than an hour or two unless you're serious about wildlife spotting or just want to sit among the trees and think. Spring is when it really sings - bluebells, returning migrants, the whole lot. Summer gets muggier and the insect life goes bonkers, which is either brilliant or maddening depending on your tolerance for midges.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit samey after a while - there's no facilities, no visitor centre, just woodland. Older children and serious walkers will get far more from it. Combine it with time at one of the nearby caravan parks like Ael y Garnedd or Plas Gwyn, both within easy reach, and you've got a proper base for exploring this corner of Gwynedd. The reserve sits near Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, which has all the amenities you'll need, though getting the name right is another challenge entirely.

Worth a visit if you're in the area. Don't expect dramatic vistas or facilities. Just come for the woods themselves.