Stow Park

A proper wetland reserve just outside Halesworth, Stow Park is the sort of place where you'll actually see birds rather than just hear them. The site sprawls across marshland and reedbeds - genuinely wild-feeling for Suffolk - with walking trails that take you through different habitats. You get views across the water meadows, and on a decent day the light hits the reeds in that golden way that makes you understand why people get obsessed with birdwatching.

It's best visited in spring or autumn when migration patterns bring unusual visitors. Summer can feel a bit quiet and overgrown. Winter's bleak but beautiful if you don't mind the cold. The reserve works well for serious twitchers and casual walkers alike, though families with small children might find the paths a touch dull after half an hour - there's not much to do except look and listen.

Allow a couple of hours if you're taking it slow with binoculars. The walking is flat and easy, which means it's accessible but also means there's nowhere to escape the wind when it picks up. Bring proper footwear - the ground gets boggy after rain.

If you're staying at Green Haven Camping down the road, Stow Park makes a solid morning visit before lunch. It's close enough not to feel like a trek, and combines nicely with exploring Halesworth's market town itself. The reserve is free to access and there are no set opening times, which means early mornings and late afternoons are genuinely quiet.