The Green & Crammer Pond

Two ponds separated by a strip of woodland, The Green and Crammer Pond near Calne offers a surprisingly rewarding afternoon if you're camping in the area. It's not dramatic - no sweeping vistas or dramatic drops - but there's something genuinely peaceful about walking the perimeter paths and spotting waterfowl among the reeds.

The reserve works best for birdwatchers and quiet walkers rather than families after high-energy entertainment. You'll spot mallards, tufted ducks, and if you're patient, the occasional heron. The woodland between the two ponds provides decent shade and a change of scenery from open water. Most people allow an hour to ninety minutes, which covers a full circuit without dawdling.

It's a sensible add-on if you're based at Honey Bee Glamping or Mill Farm Glamping - close enough not to feel like a trip in itself, but far enough from the campsites to feel like an actual outing. The paths are well-maintained and relatively flat, so it suits anyone without specialist walking gear.

Truth is, this won't be the highlight of a Wiltshire holiday. But if you need a quiet morning away from the kids' tablet screens and fancy spotting some water birds, it delivers without fuss. Check access details locally in Calne before heading out - information online is thin on the ground.