Riverhead Square

The walk from Cleethorpes seafront to Riverhead Square takes you inland through proper flat Lincolnshire terrain, but it's worth the leg stretch. This nature reserve sits where the River Freshwater opens up, and you get genuine wetland landscape - reedy marshes, open water, and the kind of birdlife that makes twitchers stop mid-stride. The space itself is unmissable if you've got binoculars and patience. You might spot lapwings, redshanks, and if you're lucky, some of the rarer waders that use this as a stopover point.

It's not a manicured attraction with visitor facilities blaring at you. Bring sensible shoes because the paths can get boggy, especially after rain. There's no café, no gift shop, no loudspeaker announcing the next guided tour - which is exactly the point. Most people allow an hour to two hours here, depending on whether you're serious about bird identification or just after a bracing walk with something alive to look at.

Families with under-tens might find it a bit slow unless your kids are genuinely into nature. Adults who like a quiet morning walk, or anyone with a camera, will have a proper time of it. It's free to access and works brilliantly as a break from the beach if you're staying at Haven Cleethorpes Beach Holiday Park down the road. Go early in the morning when the light's better and the water's calmer - that's when you'll actually see something worth the trip.