Martham Green

Martham Green is a proper Norfolk nature reserve that sneaks up on you - less showy than some of the Broads attractions, but absolutely worth a morning or afternoon if you're staying in the area around Great Yarmouth. It's a working landscape of open water, reed beds, and grassland where you'll actually see things: marsh harriers, bitterns if you're lucky, and in spring the whole place explodes with breeding birds.

The reserve sits comfortably between Richardson's Hemsby Beach Holiday Park and Norfolk Broads Country Park, so it slots perfectly into a caravan holiday without requiring a long drive. You can walk the perimeter or use the quieter paths to observe wildlife. Binoculars aren't optional here - they're essential. Walkers and birdwatchers will get the most from it; younger kids might find it a bit slow unless they're genuinely interested in spotting birds.

Access appears to be free, which is a bonus, though do check conditions before visiting as water levels and weather affect what you can actually reach. Allow a couple of hours if you're going to do it properly rather than rushing through. Spring and early summer are best when the birds are most active. Winter's desolate but dramatic if you like that sort of thing.

It's the kind of place that rewards patience. You won't find ice cream stands or facilities, so bring what you need. For a Norfolk Broads holiday, mixing this sort of quiet reserve time with the busier parks nearby gives you proper balance.