Llyn Brianne Viewpoint

The drive to Llyn Brianne Viewpoint winds through proper mountain scenery, climbing steeply from Llanwrtyd Wells until the reservoir suddenly appears below you. It's a dramatic drop - the kind that makes you grip the steering wheel a bit tighter on the way down. The viewpoint itself sits high enough to give you the whole picture: a vast expanse of dark water ringed by conifer plantations and moorland that stretches into the distance. On a clear day you can see for miles. On a cloudy one, which is often, the mist rolls through and adds a touch of melancholy to the scene.

This is walker territory, really. The views reward the drive, but there's not much to do once you're there beyond pulling over, looking, and possibly heading off on one of the surrounding forest paths. Families with young children might find it a bit of a long journey for a short stop - allow 20 minutes maximum just for standing around unless you're planning a proper walk. History buffs will be interested to know this is a working reservoir built in the 1920s, engineering heritage on a grand scale, though there's little interpretation on site.

You could squeeze this in if you're based at Welsh Glamping nearby and fancy a morning's exploring. Come early if you can - the road gets busier later in the day, and honestly, the light's best before 11am. Free to visit, naturally. Mid-Wales hikers pass through regularly, but it's never rammed.