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My name is Rhys, a first time dad blogging about my adventures and experiences of being a parent. [email protected]

74 ‘Secret’ Boxing Day Walks in Wales

Broad Haven Beach (Adobe Stock)

New research by Clarks reveals nature’s hidden gems across Wales that offer locals the chance of a socially distanced option for their Boxing Day walk this year.

Clarks analysed over 5,000 TripAdvisor listings to showcase which parks, forests, beaches or hiking trails 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.

Below are the Hidden Gems throughout Anglesey, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Gwynedd, Vale of Glamorgan and Wrexham:

Walks in Anglesey:

Place Proportion of 5-star ratings among all TripAdvisor reviews
Newborough Forest 100.00%
Porthdafarch Beach 100.00%
Lon Las Cefni 100.00%
Trearddur Bay Beach 85.71%
Castle Gardens Beaumaris 72.41%
Llanfaes Beach 60.00%
Holyhead Mountain Hut Circles 57.14%
Cors Ddyga 33.33%
Llanddona Beach 16.67%

 

Walks in Carmarthenshire:

Place Proportion of 5-star ratings among all TripAdvisor reviews
Byrgwm 100.00%
Llwyngarreg Garden 91.30%
Marsh Water Ponds 71.05%
Burry Port Beach 69.23%
Gwenffrwd-Dinas Nature Reserve 68.00%
Caves in Pendine 64.71%
Porth Yr Ogof 63.64%
Llyn Llech Owain Country Park 50.56%
Gelli Aur Country Park 29.87%

 

Walks in Ceredigion:

Place Proportion of 5-star ratings among all TripAdvisor reviews
Bwlch y Geuffordd Gardens 96.43%
Cae Hir Gardens 76.25%
Cei Bach Beach 75.00%
Penbryn Beach 73.79%
Cors Caron 73.77%
Aberystwyth Marina 60.00%
Dylan Thomas Trail 50.00%
Aberystwyth North Beach 38.30%

 

Walks in Conwy:

Place Proportion of 5-star ratings among all TripAdvisor reviews
Conwy Quays Marina 57.14%

 

Walks in Denbighshire:

Place Proportion of 5-star ratings among all TripAdvisor reviews
Brynbella Gardens 88.89%
Alwen Reservoir 77.78%
Felin Uchaf 66.67%
Rhuddlan Nature Reserve 57.14%
Barkby Beach 54.55%
Brickfield Pond 41.67%

 

Walks in Flintshire:

Place Proportion of 5-star ratings among all TripAdvisor reviews
River Alyn 85.71%
Nercwys Forest 81.00%
Dee Estuary at Point of Ayr 40.00%

 

Walks in Monmouthshire:

Place Proportion of 5-star ratings among all TripAdvisor reviews
Part Y Seal 75.00%
Lancaut Nature Reserve 56.25%
Clydach Gorge 33.33%

 

Walks in Pembrokeshire:

Place Proportion of 5-star ratings among all TripAdvisor reviews
Dinas Head (Dinas Island) 94.05%
Broad Haven Beach 80.00%
Sandy Haven Beach 78.57%
West Angle Bay 70.43%
Little Haven Beach 68.75%
Coppet Hall Beach 61.11%
Welsh Wildlife Centre 58.06%
Abermawr Beach 55.26%
Stackpole Walled Garden 48.89%

 

Walks in Powys:

Place Proportion of 5-star ratings among all TripAdvisor reviews
Wat’s Dyke Path 100.00%
Gilfach Nature Reserve 74.77%
Clywedog Reservoir 72.15%
The Warren 71.74%
Dan Yr Ogof 69.23%
Dingle Garden 59.65%
Pwll-y-wrach Nature Reserve 51.61%
Rock Park 41.67%

 

Walks in Gwynedd:

Place Proportion of 5-star ratings among all TripAdvisor reviews
Lon Las Ogwen 100.00%
Craflwyn and Beddgelert 90.00%
Dinas Emrys 83.33%
Aberglaslyn Pass 82.86%
Beddgelert Forest 77.97%
Panorama Walk 74.55%
Barmouth Heritage Trail 72.73%
Dyffryn Beach 72.73%
Aberdaron Beach 72.06%
Borth y Gest Beach 68.33%
Ogwyn Cottage 55.56%
Porth Iago 50.00%
Rhaeadr Ddu and Coed Ganllwyd Walk 50.00%
Marine Beach 44.90%
Abersoch Harbour Beach 23.08%

 

Walks in Vale of Glamorgan:

Place Proportion of 5-star ratings among all TripAdvisor reviews
Bendricks Beach 52.94%
Jackson’s Bay 42.86%

 

Walks in Wrexham:

Place Proportion of 5-star ratings among all TripAdvisor reviews
Moss Valley Country Park 54.55%