Barbara Robson Park

This nature reserve sits just outside Beverley and does exactly what it sets out to do - give you a proper walk through Yorkshire wetland without faffing about. The paths wind through reed beds and open water where you'll spot common terns, tufted ducks, and if you're lucky, the odd heron stalking about in the shallows. It's the sort of place where you don't need much more than an hour, though birdwatchers with binoculars could easily spend twice that picking out species.

The appeal here is straightforward: it's free, accessible, and genuinely useful if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Burton Constable or Spring Valley. Neither requires advance booking or special kit. The paths are flat and well-maintained, so it suits families with kids who want to burn energy without climbing hills, and older walkers appreciate the gentle pace. Bring binoculars if you've got them - you'll see more - but it works perfectly well without.

Go on a weekday morning if you can. The birdlife is more active before the weekend crowds filter through, and you'll have the reedy channels to yourself. Spring and autumn are your best shouts for migrating species, though there's always something moving about. It won't set your heart racing, but that's rather the point when you're on a park holiday in East Yorkshire. Sometimes a quiet walk with decent wildlife watching is exactly what you need.