Manor Park

The Cambridgeshire fenlands aren't everyone's first choice for a nature reserve, but Manor Park proves there's real appeal to a landscape that most people drive through without a second glance. It's flat, open, and honest - no dramatic cliffs or woodland drama here, just water channels, reedbeds, and the kind of light that makes photographers lose track of time.

You'll find it east of March, which is the nearest town, and it works brilliantly as a break from caravan life if you're staying at Fields End Water or one of the other parks nearby. The reserve is genuinely free to explore - no entrance fees, no visitor centre faffing about - which is refreshing. Most people spend an hour or two here, wandering the footpaths and keeping binoculars ready for water birds and dragonflies, especially in summer.

Historically it's all about the fens themselves. These drained marshes have shaped Cambridgeshire's character for centuries, and Manor Park gives you a proper taste of what the original landscape was about. Keen birdwatchers will find it worthwhile year-round, though spring and autumn migrations are the real draw. Families with young kids might find it a bit samey after thirty minutes unless someone's actually into spotting lapwings.

The terrain is very flat and easy - no boggy surprises or steep bits to manage. Definitely worth a morning visit if you're based at Fenland Camping or Knightsbridge Marina, particularly if you need a proper walk without overthinking it.