Grenfell Park

The Thames Valley doesn't give up its green spaces easily, but Grenfell Park near Maidenhead is one worth hunting down. It's a proper nature reserve - the kind where you're more likely to spot a heron than a hot dog van - and it's genuinely quiet even when the weather's decent.

The reserve wraps around woodland and wetland, so there's genuine habitat here rather than just mown grass. Bring binoculars if you're into birds; the list is long. Walkers get something too - the paths wind through without being manicured to death, which is refreshing. You're looking at an hour or two wandering about, depending on pace and whether you stop to actually look at things.

It works well as a morning mission while you're camping at somewhere like Hurleyford Farm or Hurley Riverside Park - both just a few miles south. If the kids need burning out before heading back to the tent, this beats a sticky playground. That said, it's not a major draw on its own. This isn't a destination; it's a solid addition to a Thames-side camping trip.

Access details are thin on the ground, so ring ahead or check the local council website before you go - opening hours and facilities aren't exactly advertised. Free admission is standard for nature reserves in this area, but don't quote me. Best visited in spring and early summer when the birds are nesting and the wetland's properly alive.