Herne Bay Memorial Park.

The memorial park sits just inland from Herne Bay's seafront, a proper working nature reserve rather than the manicured kind. You're looking at salt marshes, reed beds, and open water that actually means something to the birds and small mammals living there - not just a scenic backdrop. It's the sort of place where you might spot lapwings, redshanks, or if you're lucky, a marsh harrier cutting across the water.

Walkers and birdwatchers will find their time well spent here. The paths are straightforward enough, though they can get boggy after rain, so proper footwear matters. You don't need much time - an hour's amble will give you the full picture - but bring binoculars if you're serious about the birds. It's free, which is one thing the council got right.

The reserve works brilliantly as a morning or late-afternoon stop if you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks. Seaview is only a couple of miles away, and Nethergong Camping - which scores impressively on reviews - sits just four miles along the coast. If you're staying put for a week, this is the sort of place that feels different depending on the weather and the season. Winter brings different species entirely.

Honestly, it's not dramatic. There's no cliff-top vista or ruined castle. But if you want to step away from the Whitstable chip shops and actually see what Kent's coastline supports, it's worth the detour. Families with restless kids might find it a bit slow, though keen young naturalists could spend proper time here with a guide book.