Bodenham Lakes

Two lakes just outside Hereford that punch well above their weight for a morning or afternoon out. Bodenham Lakes is proper good for birdwatching - you'll spot herons, great crested grebes, and if you're lucky, the odd kingfisher darting across the water. The walking paths loop around both lakes, and it's flat enough that you won't spend the whole time cursing your choice of shoes.

It's the sort of place where you actually need to slow down. Bring binoculars if you've got them. Photographers do well here too, especially in early morning light when the water's still. There's something calming about watching ripples spread from a rising fish rather than scrolling your phone.

Families with kids will get a couple of hours out of it easily - there's enough to spot and point at without anyone melting down halfway through. Serious birdwatchers could spend longer, picking out species. The site's free to access, which is a bonus when you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks like Kingfisher Meadow just 1.3 miles away, or The Shires Park if you want a bit more distance.

Timing-wise, spring and autumn are peak for migrants, but honestly any time when the weather's not absolutely foul works. It's not dramatic or showy - no sandstone cliffs or thousand-year-old stones - but that's partly why it's worth your time. Real, uncomplicated countryside.