Dragonfly play sculpture

The first thing that strikes you about this sculpture is its sheer size. A massive dragonfly looms over the landscape at this Oxfordshire nature reserve, and kids absolutely lose their minds when they spot it. It's the sort of installation that makes you wonder how long someone spent getting the proportions right.

You're essentially looking at a play structure designed for younger visitors - it's interactive, it's sculptural, and it genuinely blends into the natural surroundings rather than feeling tacked on. The reserve itself offers decent walking if you've got the energy, though the sculpture is the real draw for families with little ones who need something to clamber on and explore.

Witney's only a few miles away, so it's easy to slot this into a broader day out. If you're staying at Burford Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite - a cracking spot just three miles off - you could easily spend an hour here without feeling you've overdone it. The sculpture works as a focal point for a walk rather than an all-day destination, which is honest rather than a drawback.

Best visited on a dry day when the surrounding paths are manageable. The reserve has that proper English charm - grassland, wildlife, and a bit of quirky public art thrown in. Whether admission is free or costs a quid or two, it's worth checking before you head out, but either way, it won't break the bank. Kids under ten will get the most out of it; older children might find it a quick tick-box.