Heron Pond

The water here is still enough to mirror the sky, and that's when Heron Pond works best - early morning before the day gets going. It's a modest lake in East Yorkshire, just a short drive from York, where grey herons actually do turn up if you're patient enough. The pond sits quietly in agricultural land, no visitor centre, no facilities to speak of, just you and whatever birds have decided to show up that day.

Bring binoculars if you've got them. Serious birdwatchers and wildlife photographers get real value from this spot, particularly in spring and autumn when migration brings unexpected visitors. Families with young kids might find it a bit underwhelming after twenty minutes - there's no path around it, no playground, nowhere to splash about. It's not that sort of place.

Access appears to be free, though there's no formal information online, so it's worth checking locally when you arrive. Allow an hour at most, longer if you're genuinely into spotting things. The best light comes early, before ten, when the water's calm and reflections work properly.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Wigwam Holidays Ball Hall Farm is your closest option at just over three miles - this makes a pleasant low-key morning before heading to York proper. It's not a destination in itself, but as a quiet half-hour detour during a park holiday, it ticks a box. Don't expect drama. Expect silence and the possibility of seeing something lovely.