Kingsmead Park

A strip of proper wetland just outside Rochester where the Medway gets interesting. Kingsmead Park is exactly what it sounds like - marshland, reed beds, the occasional flash of kingfisher if you're lucky. There's a walking path that loops through, nothing strenuous, though it gets muddy after rain so don't wear your good shoes.

You'll spot water voles if you're patient, and the birdwatching is legitimate - terns, grebes, warblers depending on the season. Bring binoculars. The whole thing takes maybe ninety minutes to two hours, which is perfect if you're staying at Sheerness Holiday Park nearby and want to stretch your legs without abandoning the car for half a day.

It's not a destination attraction - you won't travel an hour to get here. But if you're already in the Rochester area, it beats sitting around the holiday park. Kids will get bored after the first twenty minutes unless they're genuinely interested in spotting birds. Spring and early summer are best, when the migrants are coming through and the light's decent for photographs.

The access is free and straightforward. Ground-level stuff, so pushchairs work fine on the main path. Just accept you'll come back muddy and with a general feeling that you've done something worthwhile without any faffing about.