Jubilee Garden

The path through Jubilee Garden winds past old oaks and opens onto water you won't expect to find in this part of East Yorkshire. It's a proper nature reserve - the kind where you might actually see something wild rather than just walk through manicured grounds.

You're looking at wetland and woodland in one go, which makes it excellent for anyone interested in birds or insects. Bring binoculars and a notebook if you're the type. Families with younger kids will find it manageable in an hour or so, though the muddy sections after rain test your footwear. The reserve isn't vast - it rewards a slow walk rather than a march through.

Based near York, it slots perfectly into a countryside weekend if you're staying at Yapham Holds Farmhouse Glamping just down the road. That's only 2.3 miles away, so you could easily combine both. The glamping spot gets solid reviews, and having this reserve on your doorstep would be a bonus.

There's no entry fee that I'm aware of, though you should check ahead as policies shift. Spring and early autumn are best - the water's clearer and birds are more active. Midday in summer and you'll mostly see dragonflies and your own reflection.

Worth the detour? Only if you're genuinely interested in what's living there. It's not a destination attraction, but as an add-on to a York-area stay, it's time well spent.