Dunning Park

Dunning Park sits just outside Perth and feels like one of those spots locals know but visitors miss entirely. It's a proper nature reserve - the kind where you're actually surrounded by decent woodland rather than a manicured country park with ice cream vans. The walks meander through mature trees, and if you time it right (spring through autumn), you'll see what Perthshire does best: quiet corners where birds actually outnumber people.

This is one for anyone who wants to stretch their legs without the theatre of it all. Families won't find a playground or facilities to speak of, but older kids who can handle an uneven path will enjoy exploring. Serious walkers won't be blown away by the scale, but it's the kind of place that repays a slow hour or two - the sort of reserve where you notice things if you're paying attention.

You're close enough to Perth for a quick visit between other things, or it works well as a morning walk if you're based at one of the local holiday parks. Greenhill Farm Glamping is barely three miles away, and Maycroft Retreat just over three and a half - both handy if you want to park up somewhere decent and explore the wider area. The reserve doesn't demand a half-day commitment, but it's worth knowing about if you're after genuinely wild spaces rather than the usual attractions. Check ahead for access details, as opening times aren't widely advertised.