Colwick Country Park

The Trent Valley floods this corner of Nottinghamshire regularly, which is exactly why Colwick Country Park works so well. Built on reclaimed gravel pits beside the river, it's become a proper magnet for birdwatchers and anyone after a straightforward walk without the crowds you'd find at Sherwood Forest.

You get open water, grassland, and woodland all within easy reach of Nottingham city centre - roughly three miles east. The lakes themselves are the main draw. Bring binoculars if you're serious about spotting things; the winter months pull in visiting ducks and geese that make the journey worthwhile for twitchers. Summer's quieter but warmer, obviously.

It's free to wander around, which helps when you're camping at one of the sites nearby - Holme Pierrepont and Bell Tent Village are barely half a mile away. Allow two to three hours if you're doing a proper circuit. Families with young kids can manage an hour around the main paths without complaint, though it's not a theme park - they need to be the type who'll actually look at birds.

The park works well as a buffer between a city trip to Nottingham and a week under canvas. Not dramatic or showy, but it does the job. You'll see herons, you might spot a kingfisher if you're lucky, and the paths are well-maintained. Worth the detour if you're into nature; skip it if you need dramatic scenery.