Gumma Wood

The woodland around Gumma Wood, just outside Presteigne, is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for - which is probably the best way to experience it. Ancient mixed forest with streams that actually sound like streams (not the trickle you get in over-managed woodlands), proper damp undergrowth, and the kind of quiet that makes you realise how much noise you're usually surrounded by.

It's ideal for walkers who don't need everything marked out with colour-coded signage. Families with kids old enough to navigate roots and the odd muddy patch will enjoy it, though it's not a quick fifteen-minute loop - you'll want a proper hour or more to do it justice. The forest canopy is thick enough that it works year-round, even when it's raining elsewhere in Powys. Spring is when it's most interesting; autumn gets crowded-ish with people hunting for mushrooms.

The wood sits well with a stay at Rockbridge Park - less than a mile away - or the slightly fancier Hush Hush Glamping if you want something more comfortable after a morning in the trees. Presteigne Holiday Park is the standard option if you're after a proper caravan site. None of them are far enough away that you couldn't use Gumma as part of a wider afternoon exploring the area around Presteigne.

Bring decent boots. The paths are manageable but the ground is boggy in places, and there's no visitor centre or facilities - it's genuinely just woods. That's rather the point.