Hillfield Nature Reserve

The reserve sprawls across 45 acres of proper woodland and meadow just outside Kenilworth, and it's the kind of place that rewards a slow morning walk rather than a quick tick-box visit. You get mixed deciduous trees, open grassland, and enough wildlife to keep binoculars busy - though bring patience if you're hoping to spot anything larger than a rabbit.

It works best for walkers and nature enthusiasts rather than families with restless toddlers. The paths are straightforward enough, but there's not much in the way of play equipment or visitor facilities, so you'll want to be genuinely interested in what you might find. Birdwatchers do particularly well here, especially in spring and early summer.

The admission is free, and you can spend anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours depending on how much you want to poke about. Early morning is best if you want to see anything alive - by mid-afternoon the place goes quiet.

If you're staying at Gate Farm Caravan Club just four miles away, or Somers Wood a bit further, this makes a solid addition to your park holiday without eating into a whole day. Combine it with Kenilworth itself - the castle's worth a proper look - and you've got a reasonable morning sorted. On its own, though, it's more of a walk than a destination. Worth the visit if you're already in the area, but don't make a special trip.