Normanton Park

The reservoir here is genuinely striking - all that water catching the light with the Derbyshire hills rolling behind. Normanton Park itself is a proper nature reserve, the sort of place where you can actually spot something if you're patient: great crested grebes, cormorants, the occasional kingfisher if you're lucky. The walks are straightforward and well-maintained, looping around the water's edge without demanding anything too strenuous.

It works best for patient birdwatchers and family groups who don't mind pottering about for a couple of hours. Bring binoculars - you'll want them. The visitor centre has the usual facilities, and there's nowhere better to sit and watch wildlife doing its thing without the crowds you'd get at more famous spots. Spring and autumn are peak times for migrating birds, though the place ticks over nicely year-round.

Combine this with Hill Farm Camping & Caravan Park just down the road and you've got a solid day's outing. Derby's close enough if you need anything else, but honestly the reserve works best when you're planning to stay local. Allow two to three hours if you're walking the full loop and actually looking rather than just trudging. The admission situation isn't always clear from their end, so check ahead - some reserves ask for donations, others are free. Either way, it's a decent investment of your time if you're into this sort of thing.