Maesygrove

Maesygrove is a proper working forest just outside Carmarthen - the sort of place where you can actually walk without bumping into crowds. The woodland here is mixed and dense, with paths that wind through older conifers and broadleaves, and the whole thing feels genuinely quiet even on weekends.

You get decent views across the Towy Valley if you're prepared to walk uphill a bit, and there's something satisfying about being among actual trees rather than in some manicured country park. The paths are manageable for families with older kids, though younger ones might find the terrain a touch muddy in places - proper Welsh weather tends to leave its mark.

It's free to access, which is brilliant, and you can spend anything from an hour pottering about to three hours if you do a proper circuit. Don't come expecting facilities - there's no café, no car park in the traditional sense, just a place to walk. Go early morning or late afternoon if you want solitude.

If you're staying at one of the local parks like Coedhirion Farm Holidays or Towy Valley Caravan Park, this makes an easy morning walk before breakfast. Carmarthen itself is five miles down the road for shops and food, so it works well as part of a broader day. Walkers will get more from it than families after a quick outing, but it's worth the detour if you want to step away from the usual tourist trail.