RSPB Conwy

The estuary at Conwy is one of those places that rewards patience. You won't get dramatic vistas or obvious drama - what you get instead is the quiet satisfaction of spotting a redshank, a curlew, or if you're lucky, an osprey cutting across the water. RSPB Conwy is a working nature reserve that takes up a proper chunk of the estuary, and the reserve manages the landscape specifically to attract birds rather than to please visitors, which is refreshing.

There are viewing towers and hides dotted around - the main one gives you a decent vantage point over the mudflats and reed beds. Binoculars are essential, and a bird identification guide helps unless you're already fluent in warblers and waders. Winter is prime time here; the estuary fills with overwintering species, and on a crisp January morning with frost on the reeds, the place has real character. Spring migration brings its own rewards if you're willing to stand around for hours.

This is absolutely a spot for birders and nature photographers, less so for kids who need constant entertainment. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're serious about it. The reserve is free to explore, though donations keep it running.

Stay at one of the nearby parks - Conwy Holiday Park or Bryn Morfa are both within walking distance - and you've got a genuine base for exploring North Wales. Colwyn Bay is close by for supplies and meals, and the reserve pairs well with walks along the North Wales coast.