Roundshaw Park

Roundshaw Park is a proper surprise tucked away near Redhill - you'd not expect to find a nature reserve this good so close to suburban Surrey. It's a working landscape of grassland, woodland and wetland that actually feels wild, and the paths wind through in a way that keeps you genuinely interested rather than just trudging round in circles.

The reserve is genuinely worth an afternoon if you're into birds or dragonflies. Spring and early summer are peak times; I visited in May and the place was alive with activity. You can walk the perimeter in an hour or cut across for something shorter. The wetland areas are the main draw - they're managed specifically to attract wildlife, and it shows. Bring binoculars if you've got them.

Families with kids aged eight and up will find enough to do, though younger ones might lose interest unless they're seriously into spotting things. The paths are mostly flat and manageable, though they can be muddy after rain so come prepared.

It works well as a morning stop if you're based at Alderstead Heath Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite four miles away - you could make a proper morning of it without feeling like you've wasted time. Free entry, no facilities to speak of, so pack what you need. The real value here is if you're bothered about seeing actual wildlife, not just walking through nice views. For that, it's well worth the detour from Redhill.