Cliff Park

The cliffs at Harwich aren't dramatic - they're modest, really, worn down by centuries of North Sea erosion. But that's rather the point. Cliff Park sits right on Suffolk's coast where the land meets water, and it's a proper nature reserve that rewards a slower pace of exploration. You'll find it east of Harwich, backing onto those crumbling sandstone cliffs where you can actually see the geological layers if you know what to look for.

What you get here is coastal vegetation - sea lavender, samphire, grasses that cling to the slope - plus decent birdwatching if you're patient. The paths are straightforward, nothing demanding, and the views across the estuary towards Essex are expansive rather than spectacular. Budget an hour to ninety minutes unless you're seriously into ornithology, in which case bring binoculars and settle in for longer.

Families with young kids might find it a bit underwhelming - there's no visitor centre, no facilities that I'm aware of, and the appeal is genuinely naturalistic rather than activity-based. But if you're staying at Dovercourt Holiday Park or Suffolk Sands just down the road, it makes a solid morning walk, especially if the weather cooperates. Bring a field guide and go slow. The cliffs themselves are fragile, so stick to the designated routes.

Best visited outside school holidays when you won't battle crowds. Admission's free, which matches what you're paying - decent nature, nothing fussed-up, working exactly as it should.