Olton Jubilee Park

The wetland at Olton Jubilee Park sits just outside Coventry, a proper working nature reserve that doesn't pretend to be anything fancy. You're there for the birds, really - waders, wildfowl, the lot - and the walk around the ponds is straightforward enough for families without being dull.

It's the kind of place where you'll spot things if you're patient. Reed warblers in summer, overwintering visitors in winter, dragonflies skimming the water on a decent afternoon. The paths are manageable, nothing steep, and you can do a full loop without breaking a sweat. Worth bringing binoculars if you've got them, though half the pleasure is just sitting on a bench watching the water.

Birdwatchers and nature photographers will get proper mileage out of this. Kids aged eight and up won't complain, especially if they're the type who like spotting things rather than needing swings and slides. Younger children might find thirty minutes is enough unless the ducks are particularly active.

If you're staying at Somers Wood Caravan Park five miles south, it's an easy morning trip before heading elsewhere - close enough not to feel like a special journey, but genuine enough that you're not wasting petrol. Admission seems to be free, which is fair given it's a working reserve not a leisure attraction. Go early if the weather's halfway decent; by mid-afternoon the light gets harsh for photography and the birds tend to hide.