Memorial Park

The wetland here is proper worth a morning's wander if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks around Leicester. Memorial Park is a nature reserve that sits quietly on the eastern edge of the city, and it's the sort of place where you'll actually spot things - dragonflies skimming the water, reed warblers if you're lucky and patient, the occasional heron standing motionless in the shallows. The pathways loop around ponds and marshy ground, mostly flat and easy going, taking anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours depending on whether you stop to watch the birds or just power through. Birdwatchers will have the best time here, especially in spring and autumn when migration patterns bring in unusual visitors. Families with young kids might find it a bit limited on activities - there's no playground or visitor facilities that I'm aware of, so it's really about the walking and the wildlife spotting. Free to enter, no car park charges as far as I know, though do check ahead as these things change. Coming from Hill Top Caravan Park or Village Farm Getaway - both are only a few miles away - it's an easy addition to a day that might also take in Leicester's more urban attractions. Early morning or dusk are your best bets for seeing wildlife, and bring binoculars. The reserve doesn't take long, so pair it with something else nearby to make a proper half-day of it.