NCC Park

Just a short walk from Skegness seafront, NCC Park offers a proper breath of fresh air away from the amusement arcades and fish-and-chip shops. It's a working nature reserve where you can actually spot something wild - wading birds, the occasional marsh harrier if you're lucky, and plenty of reed beds that change colour with the seasons.

The paths are well-maintained and flat, which makes it ideal if you've got young kids or anyone who struggles with uneven terrain. You're not talking about a lengthy expedition here - most people potter round in an hour or so, though birdwatchers could easily spend half a day with binoculars glued to their faces. The best time to visit is dawn or dusk when the wildlife is most active, though you'll need to check what times the reserve actually opens.

It's the sort of place that works brilliantly as a break from caravan park life. If you're staying at Skegness Seaview or Butlins just down the road, this gives you something genuinely different to do - there's real nature here, not just manicured lawns. The contrast between the busy seafront and this quiet stretch of Lincolnshire wetland is quite striking.

Admission details aren't widely advertised, so ring ahead before you go. Worth checking their opening hours too - some nature reserves have specific access times. Bring proper footwear if it's been wet.