Conwy Cob

The Conwy Cob is a proper working estuary where salt marsh meets tidal flats, just a stone's throw from Conwy town itself. Walk the edges and you'll spot curlews, redshanks, and if you're lucky, herons picking their way through the mud. It's a nature reserve that doesn't shout about itself - no visitor centre, no gift shop, just the real thing.

Birders will absolutely love this. The variety's remarkable for somewhere so accessible - wigeon, pintail, and shoveler in winter, warblers and terns in summer. Time your visit for low tide and you can walk right out on the exposed flats. High tide pushes everything closer to shore, which can actually be better if you're not keen on muddy boots.

It won't take long - an hour's a generous walk around the perimeter - but that's the point. This isn't a destination that demands a full day. It's the sort of place you slip into between other things: before a wander round Conwy Castle, or after grabbing lunch in town. The light's particularly good here in late afternoon, when the water catches the sun properly.

Staying at one of the nearby caravan parks like Lyons Pendyffryn Hall or Hafan y Gogarth Luxury Glamping puts you within easy reach. Walk it or drive five minutes from your pitch. Kids aged eight upwards will get something from it if they're into nature - younger ones might find an hour of "looking for birds" a bit much. Photographers should get here with a decent zoom lens. No admission charge, far as we can tell, and no facilities to speak of. Bring binoculars.