Riverside Meadows

The Severn cuts through this stretch of Worcestershire like it owns the place, and the meadows alongside it absolutely thrum with life. Riverside Meadows is a proper nature reserve where you can actually walk without feeling herded - paths wind through grassland that's been left to do its thing, attracting everything from kingfishers to the odd otter if you're lucky enough. Spring brings a carpet of wildflowers. Summer is thick with dragonflies. Autumn? The light gets golden and low, which sounds like a cliché until you're actually standing there.

It's the sort of place where walkers come for the bird spotting and stay for the peace of it all. Kids won't be bored if they're the type who like turning over logs and looking for insects - there's proper stuff to find. But if you're after a play park and an ice cream van, you'll want Stourport-on-Severn town centre instead, just a short drive away.

The reserve sits within striking distance of several caravan parks - Walshes Farm is barely half a mile off, Lickhill Manor's at 0.7 miles, and Lincomb Lock at just over a mile. Ideal if you're based at one of those and want a morning walk that actually feels like you've left civilisation. Allow a couple of hours minimum. Admission details are thin on the ground, so ring ahead or check locally when you arrive in Stourport. Best visited when the light's decent and the weather's not actively trying to drown you.