Furzy Park

The reserve sprawls across moorland just outside Whitland, a proper sweep of open country where you can actually breathe. It's the sort of place that feels like Wales in its rawest form - gorse and heather rolling on, with paths that let you wander as far as your legs will take you. Come for the walking, mainly. The terrain's gentle enough for families but interesting enough that you won't feel like you're just trudging around a car park.

Wildlife is the real draw here. Bird watchers get genuinely excited about Furzy - it's the kind of place where you might spot something decent without needing binoculars grafted to your face. Insects thrive on moorland like this, so summer visits tend to feel more alive than winter ones. The open ground means you can see weather coming from miles away, which sounds daft until you're caught in a Welsh downpour with nowhere to hide.

If you're camping at one of the sites nearby - Cowpots is closest at just over two miles - this makes a cracking morning or afternoon jaunt. You won't need more than two hours unless you're really keen on exploring every corner. It's free to wander, no facilities that I'm aware of, so bring water and sensible shoes. The ground can get boggy, particularly after rain. Whitland's the nearest proper town if you need supplies or a pub afterwards. Pendine Sands is only forty minutes away if you fancy a beach day to balance out the moorland walking.