Coed Rhos-fawr

Ancient oak and beech trees form a proper canopy overhead as you wander the woodland paths of this lovely forest just outside Pwllheli. The Welsh name translates roughly to 'great reddish-brown wood', which makes perfect sense when autumn arrives and the leaves turn spectacular shades of copper and gold.

Families with young children will find the main paths easy enough for pushchairs, though the more adventurous trails require decent walking boots. Dog walkers love it here - plenty of space for a good romp and the forest floor stays relatively dry even after rain thanks to that thick canopy.

What strikes you most is how quiet it gets once you're properly inside. Traffic noise from the nearby roads fades to nothing, replaced by birdsong and the crunch of leaves underfoot. The forest extends for miles, so you could easily spend half a day exploring if you're keen on a proper ramble.

Worth noting that parking can be a bit hit and miss - there's no formal car park that I could find, so you'll be looking for roadside spots near the forest edge. It's free to enter, naturally, being ancient common land.

For those staying at one of the holiday parks scattered around this part of Gwynedd - Haven Hafan y Môr or Gimblet Rock among others - it makes a cracking contrast to beach days. The forest offers proper countryside walking without having to drive too far from your base.