Nant yr Arian

The drive up to Nant yr Arian from Aberystwyth gets proper steep, switchback after switchback through forestry plantation until suddenly you're at altitude with the whole of Cardigan Bay spread below you. This is a working visitor centre with a car park, not some rough mountain scramble - there's a cafe, facilities, and marked trails if you want to stretch your legs beyond the immediate viewpoint.

What makes it genuinely worth the drive is the sheer reach of the vista. On a clear day you're looking across to the Preseli Hills one direction and out toward Snowdonia the other. The bay curves away in that particular Welsh light that makes everything look a bit otherworldly. Bring a decent camera or don't bother complaining the photos don't do it justice.

Walkers will find proper trails through the forest - some gentle, some with actual gradient. It's the kind of place where you can spend twenty minutes soaking up the view or three hours if you're keen on the footpaths. Families with young kids might find it a bit of a schlep for what amounts to a car park and a viewpoint, but if your children are old enough to walk without complaining, the forest trails are legitimate fun.

Given you're staying nearby - Aber Camping and Forester's Retreat Glamping are both within reach - this works as a half-day outing rather than a full attraction. Go midweek if possible. Weekends bring tour coaches. Bring layers; it's always windier up there than you'd expect.