Elms Park Recreation Ground

A proper local spot that doesn't try to be anything grander than it is. Elms Park Recreation Ground sits just outside Thame and serves as a genuine nature reserve rather than a manicured park - the kind of place where you'll actually see wildlife if you're quiet enough. Paths wind through mixed woodland and open grassland, with decent stretches along the water that draws everything from herons to the occasional kingfisher if you're lucky.

It's ideal for families wanting a low-key walk without the crowds, and bird watchers will find real value here. Walkers get a couple of hours' worth of routes depending on fitness, though nothing particularly demanding. The space works especially well for anyone staying at nearby Lashlake Barn - under a mile away - as it's the obvious morning walk before heading back for breakfast. In warmer months the open sections can get muggy, so spring and autumn are genuinely better visits.

There's no fee and no faffing about with car parks or facilities, which is refreshing. Allow ninety minutes if you're meandering and looking about properly. It won't blow your mind if you're expecting somewhere jaw-dropping, but it's exactly what it says on the tin - a functioning nature reserve where you can actually get some peace and spot something interesting. For a camping holiday in the area, it's the kind of place that rounds out your days nicely without demanding much planning.