Mill Common

The moment you step onto Mill Common near Bylaugh, you're walking through proper Norfolk heathland - all open skies, low scrub, and the kind of quiet that makes you realise how rare that is these days. It's a nature reserve that doesn't shout about itself, which is rather refreshing.

This is grassland and heathland habitat, the sort of place where you'll spot birds if you know what you're listening for and wildflowers if you time it right. There are paths through it, though nothing manicured or signed to death. Walkers will find it straightforward enough for a decent couple of hours, and it's genuinely good for wildlife spotting - bring binoculars if you're serious about it. Families with younger kids might find it a bit samey after the first half hour unless they're the nature-obsessed type.

It's free to access and you can turn up whenever suits you. The best time is spring through early autumn when the reserve is actually doing something - late winter can feel a touch bleak and empty. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so come prepared.

If you're staying at Ashcroft Glamping just down the road, it makes an easy morning ramble before heading into the wider Norfolk attractions. It won't knock your socks off, but that's rather the point - it's a proper working nature reserve, not a theme park version of one. Go if you like your Norfolk wild and unvarnished.