Glannau Pool

The water here sits dark and still, ringed by steep banks that rise up thick with conifers and deciduous woodland. Glannau Pool is a proper reservoir - the kind of place where you'll find anglers casting lines in the early morning and families having a quiet picnic without the crowds you'd get at more famous Mid Wales attractions.

It's worth knowing this isn't a destination where you'll spend hours. An hour or so walking the perimeter gives you the gist of it - decent views across the water, some sheltered spots if the wind picks up, and enough space to feel genuinely away from things. The banks are gentle enough for families with young kids, though the path isn't formally maintained so you'll want proper shoes.

Walkers will get the most from it, especially those combining it with the broader Builth Wells countryside. The nearby pods at Great House Farm (less than two miles away) make a logical base if you're after quiet Mid Wales walks - this sits nicely alongside longer treks in the Wye Valley. Fforest Fields and Celtic Woodland are also within striking distance if you're camping or glamping nearby.

There's no visitor centre or facilities that I'm aware of, so come prepared - bring water, stick to daylight hours, and check the weather before heading out. It's the sort of place you visit because you're already in the area, not because you're planning a trip around it. But for a genuine moment of stillness in rural Powys? That's exactly what it delivers.