Panton Park

Panton Park sits just outside Louth in Lincolnshire, a proper working nature reserve that doesn't shout about itself. You're there for the birds mainly - it's a serious birdwatching spot with good wetland habitat that draws in winter visitors and breeding species depending on the season. The paths are straightforward enough, winding through reed beds and open water where you'll actually see something if you're patient.

This is absolutely the place for keen twitchers and anyone genuinely interested in wetland ecology. Casual walkers might find an hour satisfying; hard-core birders will spend half the day here. It's free to visit, which helps, though you should ring ahead or check online to confirm current access arrangements - these reserves can be fussy about where you're allowed.

If you're camping nearby at Three Horseshoes or Lindsey Trail, Panton Park makes a solid morning or late-afternoon excursion without eating up your whole day. You'll need binoculars and patience in equal measure. Spring and autumn are typically best for variety, though winter brings larger congregations of wildfowl. The flat terrain suits all ages, though younger kids without a genuine interest in birds might get restless. Combine it with a walk around Louth itself - the market town's pleasant enough - and you've got a decent half-day sorted.