Pen-y-copa Wood

The woodland here sits on high ground above Welshpool, and it's the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think. Ancient mixed forest, mostly - oak and beech - with proper dark corners where the canopy closes right in. Paths wind through at various levels, some steep enough to make your calves complain, others gentle enough for a decent family wander.

What you're after here depends entirely on mood. Walkers treating it seriously will find proper trails that take a good couple of hours if you do the circuit properly. The views back toward Powys are decent on a clear day, though nothing that'll make you gasp. Kids tolerate it well enough - there's something about woodland that keeps them occupied, hunting for sticks and whatever else children find endlessly fascinating. The forest floor can be boggy in patches, especially after rain, so proper footwear matters.

It's free to access, which is always worth mentioning. You won't find facilities up there - no café, no loos, no amenities whatsoever - so come prepared. Early morning is genuinely lovely if you can manage it, when the light filters through properly and you might spot something interesting in the undergrowth. Peak summer weekends? Busier than you'd hope, honestly.

If you're staying at Llwyn Celyn Caravan Park just down the road, it's an obvious addition to a few days in the area. Not the showstopper attraction that'll make the trip, but a solid morning out when the weather's playing ball.