Advice on finishing plywood: update pics  

Wax and it'll darken
I'd wax it lightly and let it darken naturally.
You could stain it, but I think you'd have to sand it, and seal it, etc., which might not look too good.

Yes
I wouldn't do anything more than wax it
If you want it slightly darker, get a tinted wax
staining or varnishing could be disastrous!
it's such a lovely thing, I'm insanely jealous 😉

Thanks Barry, would a...
Thanks Barry, would a beeswax be best to use?
How about and oiled finish? Linseed oil seems to tick many of the boxes
http://www.am-wood.com/finishes/oil.html

Thanks Robert, I think...
Thanks Robert,
I think we were typing at the same time 🙂
Would i be right in thinking your based in the UK also? could you recommend any good wax brands / suppliers?

Paste Wax
Is Johnson's Paste Wax available in the UK? Minwax?
Get something in a can that's soft and not filled with a lot chemicals. Ask your hardware or woodworking shoppe for the best, lightest wax product they can recommend.
I suspect that the wood might not be totally 'raw', it's probably got some light clear spray sealant on it.
If so, you might want to give it a 0000 steel wool buff to get down to the real wood finish.
In the US, there's a popular product called "Old English Scratch Cover". It's a dark liquid, and personally, I don't think it's too good to use it on wood!
So, ask the professionals in your own (woodworking supply, hardware, etc.) and best of luck

oil that baby
with a project of this nature, i'd also probably be on the side of applying a finish that is essentially "in" the wood rather than "on" it. an oil product [linseed, tung, etc.] will penetrate the wood fibers rather than simply coat them. then, depending on how much elbow grease [pressure, rubbing] you use, you'll be able to achieve the level of sheen you want.
a product i've used many times for a variety of projects is watco danish oil finish. it's a rub on, let sit, rub more on, wipe off, rub-a-dub-dub sort of application. and you can do it again in the future without messy prep.
also, after doing a very quick search, i found the link [following] that seems to be a worthwhile read for someone simply looking for a voice of experience regarding the whole wood-prep-and-finishing process.
put the paint brush aside and get some soft, lint-free pieces of cloth. i like old cotton t-shirts. if you don't have any old enough to warrant messing up, go to the thrift store and buy back a few that you donated.
good luck.
http://www.woodcentral.com/russ/russ3.shtml

I'd still
go for a wax rather than an oil..
I've known oils to 'spot' on a new plywood surface
Any Briwax (bee's wax) is good
or Liberon do a good tinted one, in various shades
yup..here in the UK
didn't Race make any recommendations ?

In my
experience clear finishes with color added can be difficult to apply evenly. I'd let the clear finish of your choice do the job of bringing out the color of the wood, without any tint or stain.
Any finish you choose can be enhanced and renewed with wax. However, wax can be water-spotted; who has experience with dealing with this ? Is the application of more wax the solution ?
SDR

A
A proper application of wax should stop spotting, wax in non-porous, so water should just sit on the surface..

Robert, I didnt ask when...
Robert, I didnt ask when ordering but I need to contact them tomorrow to let them know it arrived safely so I'll ask then
I think a waxed finish sounds most suitable for myself especailly as I'm a novice, I would hate to mess it up
I went on to the briwax site (see link) and this sounds ideal, I've found an on line supplier (rest express) so i'l get some ordered up, just one question there a number of ways to apply the wax, cloth, brush or steel wool, what would be the best for this application?
Many thanks for the link kdc 🙂 all being well I'm having a walnut handrail made for my balcony in the new year and the oil finish sounds perfect
Thanks again everyone
Pete
http://www.briwax.co.uk/products/briwax.html

A
A lint free cloth
I think someone already said an old T shirt is the best thing ? - I agree (never use a yellow duster)
I only use wire wool if the wax needs to clean the wood as well, then it does a great job.

A final
sanding with 180 grit or finer would be good if there's anything that would grab a cloth. You can also use Scotchbrite sanding pads.

Just spoke to Race and they...
Just spoke to Race and they recommend sealing the plywood with shellac prior to waxing, couldn?t find much info on this process, the article below mentions the use of clear shellac but I?m still not to sure what it does and what finish it gives, does anyone have experience of using shellac?
Do you think this will give a better finish or can I still just put the wax straight onto the unfinished plywood?
pete
http://finefurnituremaker.com/published_articles/craft_of_cabinetmaking_...

put wax on
the unfinished ply
you aren't going to put it in your garden, or put hot objects on it?