Hilliers Haven

The wetland walking trails here are genuinely excellent - proper paths through reed beds where you'll spot herons, kingfishers if you're lucky, and a bewildering variety of waterfowl. It's the kind of place where standing still for five minutes actually pays off, rather than the usual nature reserve where you wander round looking at birds that have already fled.

Set just outside Winchester, Hilliers Haven works brilliantly as a morning outing before heading to The Spinney Caravan Park for the afternoon. The walks are manageable rather than demanding - nothing that'll exhaust young legs, but proper enough that adults won't feel they're just shuffling about. The boardwalks keep you clear of mud most of the year, which is a genuine mercy.

It's free, which is always welcome, and you can easily spend two hours here without rushing. Early morning or dusk visits are when the wildlife actually stirs. During midday in summer it can feel a bit quiet, if we're honest - birds aren't stupid enough to be active when the sun's beating down.

Birdwatchers will get the most from this, but families with children old enough to appreciate the quiet will find it absorbing too. It's the sort of place that appeals to people who actually enjoy nature reserves rather than those just ticking them off a list. Worth combining with a proper walk round Winchester itself - the cathedral's magnificent and the high street is worth an hour or two.