Chadacre Park

The reserve sits just outside Bury Saint Edmunds and spreads across 120 acres of woodland, grassland and water. You'll find yourself on proper walking territory here - the sort of place where you actually spot something rather than just amble past empty fields.

Walkers and birdwatchers will get the most from it. There are decent paths threading through the woodland, and the lakes attract everything from herons to the occasional rarity that gets the binoculars crowd excited. Spring and autumn are peak times if you're serious about spotting migrating birds. In summer it's just... pleasant. Green, quiet, the sort of place you remember you've got ears again.

It's free to access, which helps. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're walking properly, less if you just fancy a quick loop. The terrain is manageable - nothing brutal, though parts get muddy when it's been wet.

If you're staying at Apple Mount Retreat nearby, this slots in well as a morning or afternoon activity. It won't blow your mind if you're after dramatic vistas or anything grand, but as a reset button during a park holiday it works. You get fresh air, enough space to think, and the occasional flutter of wings to remind you why you left the house in the first place.