Llyn y Fan

The walk up to Llyn y Fan from Llanidloes is the thing - a proper moorland trek through bracken and bog that takes you into a completely different world. The lake itself sits high in the Powys hills, dark water surrounded by steep slopes that make it feel remote despite being only a short drive from town. It's free to visit and you can walk around it, though the paths get boggy in places so decent boots are essential.

This is genuinely worthwhile for walkers and photographers. The landscape has that raw, windswept quality you rarely find further south, and on a clear day the views back towards the valleys are excellent. Plan on two to three hours if you're taking it slowly; the ascent isn't technically difficult but it's relentless enough that you'll feel it. Families with young kids might find it a bit slog-heavy for the payoff, but teenagers who can manage moorland walking will get a real buzz from it.

The lake works well alongside a park-based holiday around Llanidloes. Red Kite Touring Park and Dol-Llys Farm are both within a few minutes' drive, making this an easy half-day outing without needing to venture far from base. Go in summer for better weather and firmer ground - winter bog here is genuinely treacherous. It's the kind of place that rewards effort with proper solitude, which makes it worth the detour if you've got decent walking boots and aren't afraid of a bit of weather.