Bird hide

The bird hide near Bridlington is exactly what it sounds like - a small wooden shelter where you stand still and quiet, hoping to spot something worth the wait. You're looking out over marshland or coastal habitats where the actual wildlife happens, binoculars in hand, trying not to shuffle your feet. It's free, which is the main thing going for it.

This is genuinely for bird watchers and keen naturalists. If your idea of a good time is standing in a cramped box for hours waiting for a warbler, you'll love it. Everyone else will find fifteen minutes more than enough. Kids get bored fast - there's nothing to do except look, and what they're meant to be looking at is usually far away and brown.

Go early morning or late afternoon when birds are actually feeding. Bring proper binoculars, not the wonky ones from a pound shop. Expect to see common stuff mostly - gulls, waders, the occasional raptor if you're lucky. Weather matters. A grey, drizzly day in autumn or spring is actually better for spotting than brilliant sunshine.

If you're staying at Haven Thornwick Bay or Flamborough Glamping nearby, it's a decent addition to a walk along the coast. Don't make it the reason for your holiday though. Combine it with Bridlington's seafront or the cliffs at Flamborough Head, which are far more reliable for actually seeing something interesting.