After the feast of Christmas Day, everybody loves to get into the great outdoors on Boxing Day.
A 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 are the hidden gems the company recommends in Powys.
Wat's Dyke Path - Llanymynech
The trail follows the route of Wat’s Dyke using public footpaths and quiet country lanes for a distance of 61m/99km between Llanymynech, close to the Powys/Shropshire border as far as Basingwerk Abbey, within a stone’s throw of the River Dee estuary near Holywell in Flintshire.
From Llanymynech, the Wat’s Dyke Way follows the Montgomery Canal to Maesbury.
From here the trail follows public footpaths and lanes close to the remains of the Dyke as far as the market town of Oswestry which is dominated by a Celtic Hill Fort.
The Powys segment of the trail near Llanymynech is considered a top treat.
Wat's Dyke on the Powys/Shropshire border. Picture: Geograph.
Gilfach Nature Reserve - Rhayader
For centuries Gilfach was a working hill farm, now it's a spectacular nature reserve tucked away in the Marteg Valley in the heart of rural mid Wales.
Still grazed at certain times of the year by livestock to conserve its wildlife richness and looked after by Radnorshire Wildlife Trust.
Gilfach is a special place, well known for its pied flycatchers, dippers, redstarts and leaping salmon with the River Marteg running through. The variety of wildlife to be found here is what makes Gilfach different. Over a quarter of the total number of lichens in Wales can be found growing here.
Gilfach Reserve. Picture: Geograph.
Clywedog Reservoir - Llanidloes
The well-known beauty spot near Llanidloes is highly-rated by walkers
Llyn Clywedog has two marked trails which highlights the breathtaking scenery and stunning views of the dam itself.
Although there are no hides on site, the area is rich in birdlife. You will be able to spot red kites, buzzards and ravens out on the open hills.
Clywedog Reserve. Picture: Geograph.
The Warren - Hay on Wye
This beautiful riverside meadow, which for hundreds of years has been known locally as the Warren has been used by the people of Hay for recreation.
It is a unique meadow and has been designated an area of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) in Wales. It is believed that this area in medieval times was used for the breeding of rabbits for food, hence its name.
A nice walk which you can begin in Hay on Wye.
The Warren near Hay on Wye.
Rock Park - Llandrindod Wells
This Grade II listed park dates to the 1860s and is one of the earliest public parks in Wales. It includes mineral springs, Victorian spa buildings, an arboretum, and a series of trails beside the River Ithon, passing through attractive woodland.
Rock Park, enclosing 12 acres, contains several of the original mineral springs.
There is a trim trail within the park and a fascinating sculpture trail. Of more historic interest is the Tree Trail, a winding route linking historic trees planted as part of the Victorian landscape design.
These have been augmented with more modern plantings to continue the tradition of Rock Park as an arboretum. The Tree Trail is just under one mile long.
Highlights include the Maple Glade, with 130 species of maple from around the world, and a large area of native broadleaved mixed woodland with British trees such as oak, ash, rowan, hazel, birch, and holly.
Rock Park, Llandrindod Wells. Picture: Geograph.
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