Hills And Hollows Local Nature Reserve

The Lancashire countryside around Preston has plenty of gentle walking territory, and Hills and Hollows Local Nature Reserve is a solid choice if you're based at one of the nearby parks - Wigwam Holidays Kidsnape Farm or Beacon Fell View are both within a few miles. The reserve itself is a modest tract of woodland and grassland that rewards a proper ramble rather than a quick dash through.

What you get here is genuine countryside without the crowds. The terrain lives up to its name - there are actual hills and hollows to negotiate, which makes it more interesting underfoot than a flat field walk. Birdwatchers and wildflower enthusiasts will find things to get their teeth into. Spring and early summer are when the reserve shows its best hand, with bluebells and nesting birds making the place feel properly alive.

It's ideal territory for families with kids old enough to walk a decent distance without complaining, and it's the sort of place where dogs are genuinely welcome - bring them on lead and they'll have a grand time. Allow a couple of hours for a decent circuit, depending on your pace and how often you stop to look at things.

The big question: is it worth leaving your holiday park for? If you're after a proper walk with a bit of structure and some wildlife interest, yes. If you're hoping for dramatic views or major historical attractions, you'll want to look elsewhere. It's a working landscape that does what it says on the tin - nothing more, nothing less. Free access and no faffing about with opening hours make it an easy call for an afternoon out.