Skirsgill Park

The wetland at Skirsgill Park sits just outside Penrith and delivers exactly what you'd hope for from a Cumbrian nature reserve - proper boggy ground, reed beds, and the kind of birdlife that makes binoculars worth carrying. It's a working landscape rather than a manicured attraction, which means it changes with the seasons and keeps you on your toes.

You're looking at a decent walk if you want to see the whole thing, though there are shorter loops if you've got kids who'll lose interest after twenty minutes. The viewing areas give you a real sense of what's living out there without requiring you to wade through mud yourself. Spring and autumn are cracking times to visit when migratory birds pass through - winter can be muddy enough to test your patience.

Historically it's been managed for conservation for decades, so the habitat's genuinely interesting from a wildlife perspective rather than just pretty. Photographers and keen birdwatchers will get the most from it. Families won't regret the trip if they're into spotting things, though it's not the sort of place to hold reluctant teenagers' attention for long.

If you're based at Lowther Holiday Park or Crossfells Campsite nearby, this is an easy morning or afternoon slot before heading to something more dramatic like the lake at Ullswater. No admission charge as far as we can tell, and there's no need to book ahead - just turn up and follow the paths. Bring proper footwear though. The ground here doesn't care much for trainers.