RSPB The Lodge nature reserve

You'll find yourself on 157 hectares of proper woodland, heath and wetland the moment you step into RSPB The Lodge near Sandy. This is where the charity's headquarters sits, and unlike some nature reserves that feel a bit neglected, this one is genuinely well-maintained with clear paths threading through different habitats. The main draw is obviously the birdwatching - regular sightings include nuthatches, treecreepers and woodpeckers if you're lucky enough and patient enough. There's a visitor centre with decent facilities, and the walking routes range from gentle loops around the ponds to longer woodland trails that'll take you a good couple of hours.

For serious birders, this is absolutely your spot. Families with young kids will manage a shorter circuit without complaint, though there's not a huge amount to keep under-fives entertained beyond "look, a bird". The admission is free, which is brilliant, and you can spend anywhere from 45 minutes to half a day here depending on how keen you are on spotting species. Spring and autumn are the real winners for migration, but it's worth visiting any time of year.

If you're staying at either Cambridgeshire Lakes or Henlow Bridge Lakes for a park holiday, The Lodge makes a genuine detour - you're talking under seven miles from either site. It's the kind of place that breaks up a caravan week nicely without being a major production, and you'll actually see something interesting rather than just walking round in circles.