Moat Wood

Dense woodland stretches for miles around this proper bit of Mid Wales countryside, just outside Welshpool. Moat Wood offers the kind of walking you get when ancient trees have been left to their own devices - no manicured paths or visitor centres, just proper forest rambling.

Families with older children who don't mind getting their boots muddy will love the freedom here. The woodland feels genuinely wild, with streams cutting through the valley floor and plenty of fallen logs that make perfect adventure playgrounds. Younger kids might find it a bit much after an hour or so - there's no obvious circuit to follow.

Walkers looking for a decent stretch of the legs will find this hits the spot. The terrain varies enough to keep things interesting, though you'll want proper footwear when it's been wet. Dog owners particularly rate this place - acres of space for a good run around without worrying about livestock.

It's free to wander about, as you'd expect from forestry land, and works brilliantly as a morning expedition if you're staying at one of the nearby sites like Brook Valley Glamping or Gwernydd Hall Holiday Home Park. Allow two to three hours for a proper explore, though you could easily spend longer if the weather's kind. The woodland comes alive in autumn when the leaves turn - well worth timing a visit for October if you can manage it.