Blaxton Playing Field & Park

The flat, open expanse of Blaxton Playing Field catches you off guard if you're expecting the rolling woodland you might find elsewhere in Nottinghamshire. This is proper fenland, which means it's a magnet for birdwatchers and anyone who actually knows their way around binoculars.

It's a working playing field first, nature reserve second - so you're not going to stumble into some pristine wilderness. The grassland and scattered scrub attract waders and migrating species, particularly rewarding if you visit in spring or autumn. Summer is quieter for birdlife but the open views have their own appeal. In winter, the wet ground floods in places, which sounds grim but draws water birds in.

This is genuinely best for keen naturalists and amateur ornithologists. Families with young kids might find it a bit too quiet and empty - there's not much to do beyond walking and watching. The nearest town is Doncaster, just a few miles south, so it's easy enough to reach from there.

If you're basing yourself at Misterton Holiday Park, which sits less than seven miles away, Blaxton makes a decent half-hour detour on a quieter day. Bring proper binoculars and a field guide, or frankly, don't bother. The landscape won't move you on looks alone, but if you're into fenland ecology and bird behaviour, it's worth the visit.