RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes

The lakes at Fen Drayton are a serious draw for birdwatchers, and genuinely so - this RSPB reserve near Huntingdon is one of those places where you'll spot something proper interesting whether you're armed with binoculars or just wandering about. The site comprises a series of former gravel pits that have been left to flood and develop into wetland habitat, which means the birds came naturally and in good numbers.

What you're actually doing here is walking the perimeter paths around open water, stopping at observation hides to watch everything from great crested grebes to the occasional bittern if you time it right. There are several marked routes of varying length, and the walking is easy - no hills, mostly flat terrain that suits families as much as serious twitchers. Allow two to three hours if you want to do it properly and have a decent look around.

It's free to visit, and the landscape has that quiet, contemplative quality that flatland reserves do well. The water reflects sky, reeds rustle, and there's genuine peace here. History buffs might find it less compelling than someone keen on ecology, but the transformation of industrial sites into wildlife havens is worth appreciating.

Stay at one of the nearby caravan parks - Quiet Waters or Wyton Lakes Holiday Park are within striking distance - and you can make a morning of it at Fen Drayton before exploring the broader Huntingdon area. Spring and autumn migration periods are peak time, but summer brings resident species and nesting birds. Winter's quieter but often clearer for visibility.