A POWYS waterfall has been voted among the top 10 hidden gems in the United Kingdom.

Sgwd Yr Eira waterfall in the Brecon Beacons is the UK's eighth best-hidden gem according to new research while an additional five Welsh locations off the beaten track also rank in the overall top 20.

16 months of travel restrictions have meant that for many, adventure has felt like a distant dream.

As the UK lockdown has lifted and we tentatively venture further from home, wanderlust can truly return. Yet, we don’t need to explore beyond UK shores to fulfill it.

Google searches for ‘things to do near me’ are up 250 per cent and rising.

So, how can you plan big days out this summer with the family but avoid overcrowding at the usual beauty spots?

Renowned for its spirit of fun and adventure, MINI sought to discover the best ‘wild’ locations in the UK to visit.

Over 100 nature-based locations across Britain were identified and judged against two sets of criteria to gauge both popularity and wildness with the average of these scores then determined the best wild, hidden gems of 2021.

With a 'Visitor Rating Score ' of 107 and 'Wilderness Score' 97, the waterfall is one of the most popular sites in the UK.

Part of Wales’ stunning Waterfall country, Sgwd Yr Eira is a wild wonder within the Brecon Beacons.

The waterfall itself is located in a gloriously wild ravine, perfect for those looking for a more rugged adventure.

To get to the falls, you’ll walk through some stunning scenery with some routes cutting through a wooded gorge.

But perhaps Sgwd Yr Eira’s biggest selling point is the fact that you can walk the path behind the falls themselves.

You can stop to take in the running water and maybe take a selfie or two. No surprise, visitors adore Sgwd Yr Eira, and have left dozens of 4.9 and 5-star ratings on Google and Tripadvisor.