Ravenhill Park

The woodland paths here wind through proper native Welsh forest, with enough room to actually breathe and the kind of quiet you don't get near the city centre. Ravenhill Park sits just outside Swansea and feels genuinely removed from it all - ancient oaks, a mix of deciduous and evergreen, and paths that loop back on themselves so you don't end up walking the same route twice.

It's a straightforward nature reserve rather than a manicured park, which means it appeals mainly to walkers and anyone wanting a genuine woodland ramble. Families with small kids might find it a bit limited - there's no playground, no café, just trees and quietness. But for anyone aged seven upwards who enjoys spotting birds or simply moving through the landscape without crowds, it's worth an hour or so.

The main draw is simply that it exists at all this close to a city. You get the canopy feel without the drive to somewhere proper remote. Bring waterproofs - these paths can turn boggy after rain, and South Wales weather being what it is, you'll likely need them.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks like Swansea Marina Tourer Park or Gowerton Caravan Club site, Ravenhill makes an easy morning walk before heading into the city's attractions or down to Swansea Beach. It's free, as far as I can work out, and worth the detour if you're after some genuine tree cover rather than another seaside promenade.