Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve

The walk out to Gibraltar Point takes you across salt marshes and sandy flats that feel properly remote, even though Skegness seafront is just a couple of miles behind you. It's a nature reserve first and foremost - three hundred acres of dunes, reedbeds and mudflats that attract serious birdwatchers year-round. You'll see waders, terns, and if you're lucky, the occasional rarer vagrant that gets twitchers driving from across the country.

The main draw is the lighthouse, a stubby brick affair that's been guiding ships since 1841. You can't go inside it these days, but it's a decent landmark to aim for and gives the walk a purpose. The paths are flat and well-maintained, though they can be boggy after rain - proper walking boots worth their salt, not trainers.

It works best for keen naturalists, photographers and anyone who doesn't mind a bit of squelch. Kids might find it dull unless they're into bugs and birds. Allow a couple of hours for a proper poke around. Spring and autumn are best for migration activity, though winter storms can throw up interesting wrecks and debris.

You're close enough to the holiday parks around Skegness to make it a morning trip between other seaside attractions. Skegness Seaview is your nearest caravan option at three miles. It's free to visit and there's no time restriction - you're working with natural daylight and tides rather than opening hours. Come at low tide if you want to explore the foreshore properly.