Morfa Dyffryn National Nature Reserve

Two miles of sand dunes and salt marsh stretching along the Gwynedd coast near Talybont - that's what you're getting at Morfa Dyffryn. It's a proper working nature reserve, not a manicured visitor attraction with a café and gift shop. You come here to walk, watch birds, and get a sense of what this coastline looked like before we tamed it all.

The dunes themselves are the main draw. They're low-key compared to some reserves, but that's rather the point. You can wander the marked paths without feeling herded, spot skylarks and oystercatchers if you're lucky, and the light across the flats changes constantly depending on the tide and weather. Bring binoculars if you're into that sort of thing - serious birdwatchers reckon it's worth a visit during migration seasons.

Walkers will get a solid couple of hours out of it, maybe more if you're moving slowly or stopping to sketch. Families with young kids might find an hour enough unless they're the type to spend ages turning over rocks. The whole thing's free, which is brilliant, and there's no official entrance fee or booking required.

It works well as part of a broader coastal walk if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Lyons Sunnysands or Shell Island are close enough for a morning trip before heading elsewhere. The dunes connect to other stretches of beach, so you can link it with Rhaeadr Nantcol Waterfalls inland if you fancy mixing sand and scenery. Early morning's best if you want to avoid other people and actually see wildlife.