Cwmdonkin Park

The steep wooded valley that cuts into Swansea's urban fabric is Cwmdonkin Park - and it's the sort of place locals know about but outsiders miss entirely. Ancient oak and beech trees crowd the slopes, creating pockets of genuine woodland in the middle of the city. A stream runs through the bottom, and the whole thing feels unexpectedly wild for somewhere you can walk to from the town centre.

It's brilliant for anyone who wants a proper walk without leaving Swansea. The paths wind up and around the valley sides, so you get proper effort if you fancy it, or you can potter along the flatter sections by the water if you'd rather take it easy. Kids will do fine here - there's something about a wooded stream that keeps them occupied for ages. History types should know this was Dylan Thomas's local patch, which adds another layer if you're interested in that sort of thing.

Free to access, open to the public year-round. You'll want a good hour minimum, longer if you're exploring properly. The canopy is dense enough that it's decent even on drizzly days, which - let's be honest - you might well get in South Wales.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks nearby - Swansea Marina is just 1.5 miles away - Cwmdonkin makes an easy morning or afternoon outing. It's not going to keep you entertained for a full day, but it's genuinely worth the detour to avoid spending your entire break at the marina.