C Manor farm

The whole point of C Manor Farm is the wetland - marshy ground that most people instinctively avoid, but which is absolutely alive with birds, insects and plant life you won't see anywhere else. It's a proper Norfolk nature reserve, flat as a pancake, with viewing paths that let you get close without tramping through the reeds and disturbing everything.

You'll spot lapwings, redshanks, and if you're lucky, the occasional marsh harrier drifting overhead. The real appeal here is slowness - this isn't a place to tick off in an hour. Bring binoculars, a notebook if you're into that sort of thing, and at least a couple of hours to actually watch. Families with patient kids (ages eight and up probably, rather than toddlers) will find plenty to engage with; the moment a water vole surfaces or a kingfisher flashes past, you'll understand why people drive out here.

Spring and early summer are your sweet spots - nesting season means maximum activity. Winter's quieter but less insect-ridden if you're not keen on that side of things. The reserve sits near Attleborough, which is handy if you're basing yourself at Wild With Nature holiday park just a few miles away - makes for a decent morning excursion without eating up a full day. Free to access, no facilities I'm aware of, so bring your own coffee and something waterproof. East Anglian wetlands aren't dramatic, but they're real and they'll show you what you've been missing.