North Cave Wetlands

The flooded gravel pits at North Cave have transformed into something genuinely worth a morning's detour if you're staying nearby in Everthorpe. What you get is a proper wetland reserve - water, reedbeds, scrubland - and a network of walking paths that loop around the pools. Birdwatchers absolutely love this place. Bring binoculars and you might spot lapwing, redshank, or if you're lucky, a marsh harrier cutting across the water.

The paths are flat and accessible, so families with younger legs won't struggle. Allow a couple of hours to do the full circuit without rushing, though you can pop round in 45 minutes if you're short on time. It's free to visit, which is a genuine bonus when so many nature reserves are charging entry fees these days.

Winter and early spring tend to be the best seasons - more birds around and fewer tourists trampling the hides. In summer it can feel a bit quiet and the midges can be rough. There's no café or visitor centre to speak of, so bring water and pack a snack.

If you're staying at Little Wold Away Glamping or William's Den - both excellent five-star spots just over a mile away - this fits neatly into a morning before lunch. It's the sort of place that makes proper sense if you're into walking and wildlife, but honest answer: kids bored by birds will find it fairly thin after an hour. Worth doing though, especially on a clear day.