Glangwy Farm

The Elan Valley is half an hour's drive away; often called the Welsh Lake District, this stretch of reservoirs laced with hiking and biking trails is the meeting point of nature and human ingenuity, created by Victorian engineers to supply fresh water to Birmingham. Also half an hour away, the Hafren Forest is similarly managed for timber but teeming with wildlife and wonders. Take the Source of the Severn trail to see where the river really starts, or walk to the roaring majesty of Blaenhafren Falls. If you've acquired a taste for them, Devil's Bridge Falls (25 minutes) are even finer (and noisier) example of the kind, surrounded by walks through the deep gorge. If you're in need of a rest after all that, Devil's Bridge is the last (or first) station on the Vale of Rheidol Steam Railway. The other end is Aberystwyth (40 minutes) and restored engines puff their way through the cracking stretch in between, all year round. Just for good measure, Aberystwyth has a cliff railway of its own, along with fine beaches for a paddle or a more energetic spot of windsurfing. Closer to the site, you can sail on Llyn Clywedog reservoir (25 minutes) and maybe catch a trout for your supper. No guarantees on that, but you're in for a grand time here.