Cornish Mars

The moorland around Truro has a particular kind of stark beauty - all gorse and heather, with that raw Cornish wind that cuts right through you. Cornish Mars is a nature reserve that sits bang in the middle of it, and honestly, it's one of those places that rewards the effort more than the postcard would suggest.

What you're looking at is an expanse of lowland heath, the sort of landscape that's become rarer than hen's teeth across England. The reserve is serious habitat for uncommon plants and insects - things like cross-leaved heath and dragonflies that you won't see in a suburban garden. Walking the paths here feels proper wild, even though Truro is just a few miles away.

This isn't a destination for people wanting coffee and a gift shop. It's for walkers who like their nature undressed, for birdwatchers who'll spend three hours tracking a single species, and for anyone who wants to understand what Cornwall looked like before the farms took over. The paths are decent enough, though it gets boggy after rain - waterproof boots aren't optional. You need at least an hour here to make it worthwhile, two if you're the type to sit still and watch.

Admission is free, which is brilliant. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Trevarth or Wrinklers Wood, this makes for a proper morning's walk without any faffing about with entry fees. Best visited outside school holidays when the paths aren't rammed. Spring brings the wildflowers; autumn's quieter but just as good.