Gilkicker Lagoon

The lagoon sits just off the coast near Lee-on-the-Solent, separated from the Solent itself by a shingle bank. It's a shallow, brackish water body that fills and empties with the tide, creating an oddly compelling spot for anyone interested in wildlife or just wanting a different sort of seaside walk.

Walking the shingle ridge that borders it is straightforward enough, and the lagoon itself attracts wading birds year-round - oystercatchers, redshanks, the occasional rare visitor if you're lucky. The views across to the mainland are pleasant rather than dramatic. Birdwatchers will find it properly rewarding; casual visitors might spend half an hour here and call it done.

The best time is early morning or dusk when the light's softer and the birds are most active. There's no visitor centre or facilities - this is the real thing, not a polished attraction. Families with young kids will need to manage the shingle carefully, but older children who can sit quietly will enjoy spotting birds.

If you're based at Whitefield Forest Touring Park or Old Mill Holiday Park, this makes a decent morning outing to break up a park-based week. It's only five miles or so from either site. St Helens Coastal Resort is slightly further but still very manageable. Lee-on-the-Solent itself has cafés and a beach if you want to combine a visit with something less specialised. Worth the drive if birdwatching matters to you; less essential if you're after dramatic seaside views.