Suffolk Wildlife Trust - Lackford Lakes

The lakes themselves are the star turn here - four of them, strung out across what used to be gravel workings just east of Bury. Suffolk Wildlife Trust has done something clever with the land, turning industrial scars into proper wetland habitat. You'll see reed warblers, great crested grebes, and if you're lucky, the occasional bittern booming across the water in spring.

There are hides dotted around - some basic wooden affairs, others more substantial - and a network of paths that take between an hour and a full afternoon depending on how serious you are about your birdwatching. The main trail is flat and easy, though muddy patches aren't uncommon even weeks after rain. Bring binoculars. You'll want them.

Best visited early morning or dusk when wildlife is most active. It's free to wander, though they do ask for donations. Families with young kids can manage the main circuit without complaint, though it's not a "bring the toddler in a buggy" situation - the paths are narrow in places.

Since Kings Forest Caravan & Camping Park sits just half a mile away, this works perfectly as a morning activity before pitching up for the night. West Stow Pods and Church View Campsite are similarly convenient bases. The area around Bury has enough woodland walks and heritage sites to fill a few days, but Lackford Lakes is worth dedicating at least one morning to. Genuinely good for anyone interested in birds or wetland ecology.