RSPB Boyton and Hollesley Marshes

The marshes stretch out flat and endless, a proper Norfolk Broads kind of landscape where the sky dominates everything. RSPB Boyton and Hollesley Marshes sit just east of Woodbridge and work brilliantly as a half-day outing if you're staying at Run Cottage Touring Park or Wantisden Park nearby - both are within a few miles and make ideal bases for exploring this corner of Suffolk.

What you get here is serious birdwatching territory. The reserve covers around 1,000 acres of reed beds, grazing marsh, and open water - the kind of habitat that attracts avocets, bitterns, marsh harriers, and winter wildfowl in proper numbers. Bring binoculars and a field guide. There are walking trails and viewing points scattered through, though don't expect manicured paths - this is working wetland, not a country park stroll.

Families with patient kids will manage fine, though under-tens might get restless without spotting something within the first twenty minutes. Keen birders could easily spend three or four hours here, particularly between autumn and spring when migration peaks. Summer's quieter but still worth the visit if you're after a peaceful walk.

Access is free - it's an RSPB reserve - and there's no booking required. Allow at least two hours to do it justice, longer if you're serious about the binoculars. The ground can be muddy and wet even after dry spells, so proper boots aren't optional. Combine it with a visit to nearby Woodbridge for a proper day out - the town's got decent pubs and shops for afterwards.