Riverside Garden Park

The River Mole cuts through this Surrey reserve like it owns the place - which, in a way, it does. Riverside Garden Park is one of those spots you'd miss if you weren't looking for it, tucked away near Crawley but a proper escape from the town's concrete sprawl. The main draw is the riverside itself: walking trails that follow the water's edge, patches of woodland where the light filters through in that particular English way, and open meadow sections that flood with wildflowers in spring and early summer.

It's best suited to walkers and nature spotters rather than thrill-seekers. Bring binoculars if you're into birds - the riverside attracts kingfishers and various warblers depending on the season. Families with younger kids might manage an hour or so, but there's not a great deal of infrastructure, so don't expect a café or playgrounds. The reserve is free to access, which is always welcome.

If you're camped at one of the nearby sites - Gatwick Caravan and Motorhome Club is barely two miles away - this makes for a morning wander before heading elsewhere. It's the sort of place that justifies a half-day rather than a full day, but if you're serious about riverside walks and want to avoid the crowds, it's worth knowing about. Go early on a weekday if you can, and bring waterproofs - the ground gets boggy after rain.