Sittingbourne Recreation Ground

The Recreation Ground sprawls across the marshland just outside Sheerness - it's one of those places locals know well but visitors tend to miss. Wide open spaces, proper wetland habitat, and if you're lucky with the timing you'll spot some decent birdlife. The whole thing feels refreshingly undeveloped, which is its charm really.

It's walker territory mainly. The paths are manageable rather than dramatic, and you won't need specialist kit - just sensible shoes because it does get boggy. Allow a couple of hours to poke around properly, though you could do a quick 45-minute loop if you're pressed for time. Bring binoculars if you're into birds; the marshes attract everything from common terns to various warblers depending on season. Spring and autumn tend to be the best times.

For families with young kids, it's fine but hardly a day-out destination on its own - they'll get bored after an hour. Better suited to walkers and nature enthusiasts who want somewhere genuine rather than manicured. If you're staying at Painters Farm Camping Site nearby, it's absolutely worth combining with a morning here before heading to the coast.

Free to access, naturally. The whole feel is low-key and un-commercialised, which you'll either love or find a bit too spartan depending on your holiday mood. Real Kent countryside without the postcard stuff.