After the feast of Christmas Day, everybody loves to get into the great outdoors on Boxing Day.

Now a new survey by shoe retailer Clarks has looked at the hidden gems of Powys, and provided its recommendations for the best places to escape the crowds in the aftermath of Christmas.

The company analysed more than 5,000 TripAdvisor listings to showcase which parks, forests, beaches or hiking trails across Wales are among the least reviewed, but best-rated.

Beauty spots in Wales unsurprisingly make a few appearances in the UK-wide shortlist, thanks to spectacular natural scenery.

Newborough Forest in Anglesey was in fact crowned the Best Hidden Gem out of all forests in the UK. Nercwys Forest in Flintshire is also named in the top 10 forests in the UK. Meanwhile, Dinas Head in Pembrokeshire appears on the national shortlist of hiking trails.

Bear in mind the current Covid regulations before you travel, however. The current rules in Wales permit exercise in your local area, with members of your own household, so only go to these locations if they are local to you. Here is the latest guidance.

Here are the hidden gems the company recommends in Powys, and their rating on Tripadvisor:

  • Wat's Dyke Path – 100.00% – The Powys segment of the trail near Llanymynech is considered a top treat
  • Gilfach Nature Reserve – 74.77% – a former working farm-turned nature reserve near Rhayader, which is looked after by Radnorshire Wildlife Trust
  • Clywedog Reservoir – 72.15% – The well-known beauty spot near Llanidloes is highly-rated by walkers
  • The Warren – 71.74% – A nice walk which you can begin in Hay on Wye
  • Dan Yr Ogof – 69.23% – The cave centre between Brecon and Ystradgynlais requires advance booking.
  • Dingle Garden – 59.65% – Check in advance for any Covid regulations and closures at the much-loved Welshpool nursery.
  • Pwll-y-wrach Nature Reserve – 51.61% – Another wildlife trust-managed reserve near Talgarth.
  • Rock Park – 41.67% – Llandrindod Wells' public park is one of the oldest in Wales.