Coed y Mwldan Nature Reserve

The woodland paths through Coed y Mwldan are properly atmospheric - dense oak and ash canopy, the kind of place where the light gets green and everything smells of damp earth. You're walking through genuine Welsh forest just a mile or so from Cardigan, which means you've escaped the town without any real effort.

It's a nature reserve, so there's proper structure to the experience. Woodland walks of varying length wind through the reserve, and you're likely to spot birds - buzzards, sparrowhawks, the usual woodland residents. The streams running through it add to the mood, particularly after rain when they're actually moving with purpose. Plan on an hour for a leisurely wander, longer if you're actually birdwatching or just fancy sitting about on a fallen log.

Families with kids aged seven upwards will get something from this. Younger children might find a mile of uneven woodland paths a bit of a slog, truth be told. Walkers will rate it more highly than casual visitors - this isn't a destination attraction, it's a proper forest walk that happens to be free and accessible.

If you're camped at Cardigan Camping and Touring Caravan Site or any of the other parks within a couple of miles, Coed y Mwldan makes an easy morning or late afternoon outing. The reserve is free to access - bring proper footwear if it's been wet. There's no cafe, no facilities, just you and the trees. That's rather the point.