Hanwell View Park

The view from Hanwell itself will stop you in your tracks - that sudden opening up of the Nene Valley with proper countryside rolling away in all directions. This is a proper nature reserve, the kind of place where you're genuinely likely to spot something worth stopping for rather than just wandering through manicured paths.

It works brilliantly for walkers, particularly those who want to combine a decent hike with a reasonable chance of seeing birds and wildlife without trekking for hours. The terrain's accessible enough that families with older kids won't struggle, though younger ones might flag if you're aiming for the full circuit. Birdwatchers will want their binoculars - the wetland areas pull in some decent species, especially during migration periods.

You'll want to allow a couple of hours minimum to make it worthwhile, longer if you're properly into watching wildlife. The light's best in morning, when the air's clearer and animals are more active. Go mid-week if you can - weekends bring the crowds from Oxford and beyond.

For a caravan-based break, it slots nicely between the highly-rated Anita's Touring Caravan Park just three miles away and Fir Tree Campsite at four miles, both excellent bases. Mount Farm Park and Coleman's Hill further out work equally well if you want slightly quieter surroundings. The reserve gives you a genuine reason to get outside your park rather than just trundling between tourist attractions - it's what the East Midlands does rather well.