Pearson Park

The path through Pearson Park winds past old woodland and opens onto proper wetland - the sort of place where you'll actually see something worth stopping for. Reed beds stretch out, water birds dart between the vegetation, and on a decent day the light hits the marshland in ways that make you understand why people bother with nature reserves at all.

It's a working site for wildlife rather than a manicured nature attraction, which means you won't find a cafe or visitor centre, but you will find genuine habitat. Birdwatchers make the trip from across East Yorkshire for the winter months when migrating species pass through. Spring and summer are quieter but livelier - dragonflies, breeding birds, the whole cycle ticking along. A couple of hours is enough to walk the main routes and get a sense of what's there, though keen ornithologists will happily spend half a day.

Beverley's just down the road, which makes this a solid addition to a longer park holiday rather than a destination in itself. If you're camping at Manor Farm or Butt Farm - both within a reasonable drive - this fills an afternoon without demanding much planning. Free access and no set hours means you can slot it in around meal times.

Will kids enjoy it? Depends entirely on the kid. Ones fascinated by wildlife will be genuinely engaged. Those expecting playground facilities will be disappointed. It's real countryside, not countryside pretending to be family-friendly.