Cholsey Recreation Ground

Just outside Wallingford, Cholsey Recreation Ground is a straightforward nature reserve that does exactly what it says on the tin - gives you a proper bit of green space to stretch your legs without any faffing about. It's the sort of place where locals walk their dogs, families let kids run about, and if you're staying at one of the nearby campsites like Rolling Fields Glamping or Bridge Villa, it's a handy spot to burn off some energy before dinner.

The ground itself is open grassland with trees dotting about, decent for a casual wander rather than anything dramatic. There's no admission fee that we can trace, and you can knock about for as long as you fancy - thirty minutes if you're just passing through, an hour if you've got time and want to explore the perimeter properly. It's not a destination in itself, but it slots nicely into a park-based holiday in the area. Pair it with a walk along the Thames Path, which runs near Wallingford town centre, and you've got a decent afternoon sorted.

Walkers and families with younger kids will get the most from it. Expect open fields, the odd bench, and the kind of walk that's more about fresh air than views. It's worth a detour if you're camping nearby at Ridgeway View or Benson Waterfront, but don't rearrange your itinerary specially. Go on a dry day - the ground can get boggy.