Cherry Hill Park

The moment you step into Cherry Hill Park, you're surrounded by proper fenland landscape - flat, open, and wonderfully quiet. It's a nature reserve east of Ely, and what you get here is genuine wildlife habitat rather than manicured gardens. Woodland paths wind through the site, and there's real sense of discovery as you move between different habitats.

Walkers will absolutely get the most from this place. The paths are straightforward enough for families with older kids, though younger ones might find the lack of obvious attractions a bit dull after 45 minutes or so. Birdwatchers should bring binoculars - this is the sort of spot where patience pays off. The flat terrain means it's accessible for most abilities, which is a genuine bonus in this part of the world.

Timing matters. Early morning or dusk tends to be when the wildlife is most active, so plan accordingly if you're hoping to spot anything beyond the common garden varieties. Allow a couple of hours if you're doing a proper walk, or just 30 minutes if you want a quick leg-stretch.

If you're based at Heatherbffield Lodge or Hatters Meadows - both just 2.5-2.6 miles away - this makes an easy morning venture before heading into Ely itself. The caravan sites are solid, so Cherry Hill works well as one activity in a broader fenland break rather than a destination in itself. It's peaceful rather than spectacular, but that's rather the point.