Old Park Hill Nature Reserve

The chalk grassland at Old Park Hill feels genuinely wild for somewhere so close to Dover. You're walking through a patchwork of slopes where the grass shifts colour with the seasons - bleached gold in summer, rich amber come autumn - and the views towards the coast are properly expansive. This is genuine habitat rather than manicured parkland, which means you'll spot things: skylarks, chalkhill blues, orchids in early summer if you're lucky. The reserve sits on the Kent Downs, so it's hilly walking, but nothing brutal. Allow an hour or two depending on how thoroughly you want to explore the different sections.

It works best for walkers and nature types rather than families with very young children - there's nowhere to eat, facilities are minimal, and the appeal is more subtle than showy. But if you're staying at Hawthorn Farm or St Margaret's Bay Holiday Park nearby, it's worth the short drive for an afternoon when you fancy getting off the caravan park and doing something outdoorsy. The grassland is genuinely important ecologically, which adds a layer of interest even if you're not a serious birder.

No admission charge. Best visited spring through early autumn when the wildflowers are out and bird activity is at its peak. Winter is grey and can be muddy. The reserve pairs well with a longer walking route around the Downs - you're well positioned to explore the broader area from either holiday park.