Hardley Flood

The water at Hardley Flood just sits there, flat and still, reflecting whatever grey Norfolk sky happens to be overhead that day. It's a broad, shallow expanse east of Bungay - more of a flooded valley than a dramatic lake, really - and it draws birdwatchers like nothing else in the region. The reed beds are thick, the margins marshy, and if you're after bitterns, marsh harriers, or winter wildfowl, this is exactly where you need your binoculars trained.

There's no visitor centre, no cafe, no facilities to speak of. You come here because you want to watch birds, full stop. The walk around the perimeter takes a good couple of hours if you're not stopping constantly, and if you are stopping - which you will be if you've brought optics - allow the best part of a morning. Access is straightforward enough, though the paths can get boggy after rain, so proper boots matter.

Honestly, this isn't a family day-out sort of place unless your children are genuinely keen birders. It's a bit of a specialist attraction, and there's not much to do if the wildlife doesn't hold your interest. That said, if you're camping at Wardley Hill just up the road and you've got binoculars in your bag, it's absolutely worth the short drive. The solitude is genuine, and on a clear day when the light hits the water properly, it's rather lovely.