Ainsdale Sands National Nature Reserve

The dunes at Ainsdale stretch for miles along the Lancashire coast, and it's properly wild in places - wind-scoured sand ridges, marram grass, and the constant sound of the sea. You're looking at one of the best examples of coastal dune habitat left in England, which means it attracts serious botanists and ornithologists. For most visitors, though, it's simply a cracking walk.

The reserve is free to access and there's no faffing about with opening hours - you just turn up. The main draw is the boardwalk that cuts through the dunes, keeping feet off the fragile plants and preventing erosion. It's a straightforward walk, nothing strenuous, and you're done in an hour or so depending on how much you linger. The beach beyond is sandy and relatively quiet compared to Southport's seafront proper.

Walkers will appreciate the network of paths threading through the site. Birdwatchers should bring binoculars - grey plovers, sanderlings, and if you're lucky, the occasional natterjack toad croaks away in spring. Families with younger kids might find the reserve a bit sparse after thirty minutes, but older children interested in wildlife will spend considerably longer.

It's a short drive from Southport Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, making it ideal for a morning or afternoon session alongside the seaside town itself. Wind can be savage here even on calm days elsewhere, so come prepared. Best visited outside school holidays when it feels genuinely peaceful.