Great Wood

Ancient oaks and towering beech trees create a proper woodland cathedral just outside Newtown, where Great Wood spreads across the rolling Powys hillsides like a green blanket. The canopy filters sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor, making this one of those places where even restless teenagers might actually put their phones down for five minutes.

Families will find plenty to occupy the kids here. Fallen logs become balance beams, clearings turn into impromptu picnic spots, and there's enough space for proper games of hide and seek. The woodland paths aren't particularly challenging, so it works well for pushchairs on the main routes, though you'll want to stick to the clearer tracks after rain when things get properly muddy.

Dog walkers absolutely love this place - acres of sniffing territory and enough space for even the most energetic spaniel to burn off steam. The wood connects to several footpaths that stretch deeper into the Mid Wales countryside, making it a decent starting point for longer walks if you're feeling ambitious.

It's free to explore, which makes it a budget-friendly day out when you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Maesmawr Farm Resort or Love2Stay Mid Wales. Allow a good couple of hours if you want to properly explore the different sections, though you could easily spend a whole afternoon here if the weather's kind.