Myton Pool

The water at Myton Pool catches you straightaway - that particular shade of grey-green you only get in working gravel pits that have been left to their own devices. It's a nature reserve now, just outside Warwick, and what was once dug for aggregate has become properly valuable as a wetland. Expect reedy margins, open water, and the kind of birdlife that makes twitchers drive out from Birmingham without hesitation. Cormorants, grebes, warblers depending on season - you'll need binoculars and patience in equal measure.

It's best suited to adults with an actual interest in birds or plants rather than families after a quick leg-stretch. Children will get bored after thirty minutes unless they're the sort who'll stand still watching water for hours. The walk around takes a couple of hours if you're not stopping constantly, less if you just want a quick circuit. There's no visitor centre and facilities are minimal, which keeps it quiet - but it also means you'll want to plan a loo stop in Warwick beforehand.

Free access, no booking required as far as the reserve goes. If you're staying at Tinywood Homes nearby, this makes a solid addition to a park holiday rather than a destination in itself. The light is best late afternoon when the water actually turns golden and the birds are more active. Spring and autumn are when you'll see proper variety. Winter can be bleak and a bit pointless unless you're specifically watching for winter visitors.