Castle Meadow

Castle Meadow sits just outside Saxmundham, a proper working nature reserve rather than the sort of manicured spot you'd expect. What you're actually walking into is wet grassland and reed beds that shift with the seasons - spring brings nesting birds, autumn gets atmospheric with mist rolling across the water. There's a decent path system so you're not scrambling through undergrowth, though waterproof boots aren't a bad shout depending on rainfall.

Birders absolutely love this place. The reedbed species are the draw - reed warblers, bearded reedlings, the occasional bittern if you're lucky. But it's not exclusively for binoculars-and-notebook types. Families with older kids who can manage a couple of miles on foot will find it peaceful, and there's something about watching dragonflies dance over water that keeps children engaged longer than you'd expect.

You'll want to allow an hour minimum for a proper wander, longer if you've got optics and patience. There's no visitor centre or café, so pack what you need. It's free to visit - just turn up. The nearest facilities are back in Saxmundham town itself.

If you're basing yourself at The Croft Campsite five miles away, Castle Meadow makes for a straightforward morning or late afternoon outing. It's not flashy or crowded, which is exactly why it works. The kind of place that reminds you why Suffolk's coast matters for wildlife.