Fremington Local Nature Reserve

The estuary at Fremington is one of those places that creeps up on you. You're pottering about near Ilfracombe, thinking you'll just pop down for a quick walk, and instead you find yourself spending half the afternoon watching herons and spotting waders in the mud. This is a proper nature reserve - no gift shop, no visitor centre, just salt marshes, creeks and decent birdwatching year-round.

It's the kind of spot that rewards patience. Bring binoculars and a decent identification guide, especially in winter when migrating birds pass through. The walking is gentle and undemanding, threading along the water's edge where the ground squelches underfoot. You won't find dramatic coastal views or dramatic cliffs - this is intimate, understated stuff. The best light is morning, when the sun picks out the channels in the mud and the birds are most active.

Families with older kids who actually want to look at wildlife will get something out of it. Young children might lose interest after twenty minutes unless you make a game of spotting birds. Serious birdwatchers and nature photographers will find it rewarding, particularly between August and March when there's more variety.

Free to visit, free to wander. Allow an hour minimum, longer if you're keen. The nearest town is Ilfracombe, and there are solid camping options nearby - Braddicks is well-reviewed, and camping@croydebay offers the same calibre of facilities if you want to stay a night or two. Pair it with a coastal walk elsewhere in the area for a proper break.