Swannington Upgate Common

A proper Norfolk commons experience, Swannington Upgate is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for - all open heath and scattered woodland just east of Norwich. It's genuinely wild in patches, with sandy soil underfoot and enough space to actually breathe without bumping into other visitors.

The reserve works best for walkers and nature spotters rather than casual strollers. You'll find heathland birds here that most people never clock - woodlarks, nightjars if you time it right in summer - and the scrubby vegetation gives you proper views across the flat Norfolk landscape. On a clear day it feels properly remote, even though you're minutes from the city.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, which is either brilliant or annoying depending on your mood. Free to access, of course. Allow a good two hours if you want to do a proper loop and actually see something rather than just walk the perimeter.

If you're staying at Moat Island Glamping - just 2.5 miles away - this makes a genuine morning excursion rather than a rainy-day fallback. Top Farm Campsite is another easy base at 4.6 miles out. The commons slot perfectly into a Norfolk nature park holiday without eating into your time. Go midweek if you can. Weekends bring the casual dog-walkers and it loses some of its solitude.