Amory Park

The reserve sits on the edge of Tiverton like something the town forgot about - all woodland trails and wetland pockets where you'd half expect to stumble on a heron. Amory Park is a proper nature reserve that works best if you're actually interested in what lives there rather than just wanting a quick walk. The paths wind through different habitats, and you'll spot birds if you keep quiet and move slowly. Tree-lined sections give way to more open wetland areas where dragonflies dart about in summer.

Families with patient kids will find it genuinely rewarding, particularly those old enough to use binoculars without immediately pointing them at the sky. Serious birdwatchers should visit at dawn - the activity picks up early. It's not a strenuous walk, though the paths can get boggy after rain, so check conditions if you're visiting in winter.

Allow an hour if you're moving steadily, longer if you're stopping to observe. The whole thing is free, which is handy when you're based at Nirvana Glamping just down the road and fancy a morning out without spending more money.

It's the kind of place that doesn't leap out at you from guidebooks, which is partly why it's worth the detour. You won't fight crowds, and on a decent day it's a genuinely peaceful way to spend a few hours. Not a destination on its own - more a solid addition to a Tiverton-based holiday where you want a bit of nature mixed in with your time.