Emmett Hill Meadows

You'll find yourself in proper open countryside the moment you arrive at Emmett Hill Meadows, a small nature reserve just outside Swindon where wildflowers take centre stage. The appeal here is straightforward - it's a pocket of managed grassland that bursts with colour depending on the season, attracting butterflies and the odd bird enthusiast armed with binoculars and a dog-eared field guide.

Walking trails wind through the meadows, though don't expect anything strenuous or long. Most people spend between 45 minutes to an hour here, which is about right. The reserve works brilliantly if you're camping at one of the nearby sites - Burton Hill Caravan & Camping Park is only five miles away and Malmesbury Glamping at Whychurch Farm even closer at under five miles - giving you a gentle morning walk without needing to load everyone back in the car.

Families with young children will find it low-key enough that nobody gets fractious, though it's not a destination in itself. History buffs won't find much to grip them here. What you get instead is space, relative quiet, and the chance to spot what's actually growing in the Wiltshire landscape rather than what someone's decided to plant. Summer visits are obviously best when the meadows are at their peak, but spring and early autumn have their moments too.

If you're staying in the area and need a leg-stretch without driving somewhere new, it's well worth twenty minutes of your time. Just don't expect facilities or crowds.