Coronation Park

Coronation Park sits on the edge of Bridgwater as a proper nature reserve - the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. It's not one of those manicured garden affairs; this is genuine wetland habitat with walking paths that wind through reed beds and open water. You'll spot wildfowl, the occasional heron if you're lucky, and it's a genuine breath of fresh air if you're coming from the town centre.

Walkers will get the most from it, especially birders. Bring binoculars and you could happily spend a couple of hours here. Kids do okay for an hour or so, though it's not a playground - they need to be the sort who enjoy spotting things rather than running about. The paths are fairly flat and accessible, which matters.

Timing-wise, early morning is when the birds are most active, so if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - The Hideout is closest at under four miles away, or Wall Eden Farm if you want something more rural - head here first thing before the day gets warm. The reserve is best visited spring through autumn when there's actual wildlife activity.

It fits naturally into a Somerset holiday circuit. You're never far from the Quantocks or Exmoor if you want proper hill walking, but Coronation Park works as a gentle half-morning break, especially if wet weather rules out longer excursions. Worth a visit if you're in the area, though don't expect grand vistas - it's intimate and low-key.