The Deer Park

The Deer Park sits just inland from Porthcawl, a proper working nature reserve where you'll actually see deer roaming about rather than stuffed behind fences. It's the kind of place that rewards a slow wander - bring binoculars and you might spot fallow or muntjac deer among the woodland, depending on the season and your luck with timing.

The reserve works best for anyone who likes a bit of wildlife spotting without the theme park experience. Families with patient kids will get something from it, though under-eights might lose interest after an hour or so if the deer aren't playing ball. Serious nature watchers and photographers could easily spend half a day here, especially during dawn or dusk when the animals are more active. The walking is gentle on the whole - nothing that'll knacker you out.

If you're staying at Trecco Bay Holiday Park just down the road, it's a decent addition to a day out exploring the Bridgend area. You won't need to book or pay anything, just turn up and have a poke about. Spring and early autumn tend to offer the best wildlife viewing and far fewer midges than summer. Allow two to three hours if you're genuinely interested in what you might see; less if you're just after a quick stroll. The reserve isn't flashy or manicured - it's the real thing, which is precisely why it's worth the detour from the coast.