Orchid Meadows

The meadows around Tregaron are something special if you catch them at the right time of year. Orchid Meadows - a stretch of species-rich grassland in Ceredigion - blooms in late spring and early summer with a genuinely impressive show of wild orchids. It's not manicured, not roped off, just proper wildflower territory.

You're looking at a walk through open meadow, spotting early purple orchids, fragrant orchids, and if you're lucky, spotted orchids dotted across the sward. The light's best in morning, when the dew's still about and the colours pop. Takes a couple of hours to wander through properly without rushing, though you could do a shorter loop if time's tight.

Families with older kids who can manage a gentle ramble will enjoy it. Keen botanists and photographers absolutely should make the effort - this is one of Wales's better wildflower spots. The landscape rolls away towards the Cambrian Mountains, which adds to it. Spring walkers will get far more from it than summer visitors, so time it right.

Tregaron itself is a small market town, proper hub for this part of the world. If you're staying at Cambrian Mountains Glamping and Camping just down the road, it's an easy morning excursion before heading elsewhere. The meadows are free to access - just respect the land and stick to paths. Weather in West Wales being what it is, go after rain when the colours really sing, not in dry spells.