The forest visitor centre has waymarked family walks and the forest rangers take regular guided walks as well as other activities (Call 01639 850564 for details).

Afan Argoed forest is situated in the beautiful Afan valley, with several areas of outstanding natural beauty nearby. The Gower peninsular offers fantastic scenery for walking, climbing and riding as well as long sandy beaches looking out to Lundy island which offer good surfing conditions and safe coastal strolls. Further north the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons offer riding, walking, climbing and bird watching of a more epic flavour.

The valleys to the east are also full of museums and attractions based on the recent industrial history of Wales. Cefn Coed colliery museum and the Rhondda Heritage mining museum give visitors a chance to learn about what was South Wales' most important industry. There is even the chance to go underground to the coalfaces themselves at the Rhondda Underground Experience

If shopping, cosmopolitan cafes and nightlife are more your thing then the busy city of Swansea is only a few miles west.