Speen Recreation Ground

You won't find much fanfare about Speen Recreation Ground, which is precisely why it's worth the short drive from Newbury. It's a proper local nature reserve - the kind of place where you'll spot dog walkers and the occasional birdwatcher, not coach parties.

The ground itself is gently rolling grassland with scattered woodland, the sort of landscape that doesn't photograph dramatically but rewards a quiet hour or two on foot. There's good variety for a small reserve: open meadow, scrubby areas, and tree cover that draws in woodland birds. In spring the wildflowers are decent, and if you're into your ornithology, keep an eye out for nuthatches and woodpeckers.

It's ideal for families wanting a low-key walk after a night at one of the nearby parks - Rhodeside, just three miles away, or Hollington Park's glamping sites a bit further out. Children will find it straightforward enough; there's no dramatic terrain to navigate, though it's not the sort of place that'll keep under-eights entertained for hours on end.

There's no visitor centre, no café, no charge as far as I can tell. Just go. The best time is early morning when you've got a fighting chance of seeing wildlife before the day gets going. Twenty minutes to an hour, depending on how thorough you want to be. Not a destination in itself, but a solid half-morning option if you're based nearby.