The Milking Parlour

The Milking Parlour is a small nature reserve tucked away in the Sussex countryside, not far from Hastings. It's the sort of place you'd miss entirely if you didn't know it was there - which is rather the point. The reserve centres around a working farm setting, and you can actually see how the dairy operation functions, which sounds duller than it is. Kids genuinely find it engaging, watching cows being milked and learning where milk actually comes from beyond a supermarket carton.

The walking trails here are gentle rather than challenging. You're looking at a couple of hours maximum to see everything properly, including a proper look around the farm buildings. The meadows beyond are where things get interesting - there's proper wildlife about, particularly birds if you come in spring or early summer. Bring binoculars and patience.

It works brilliantly as part of a park holiday based at nearby Winchelsea Sands. The reserve is close enough for a half-day trip without eating into your beach time, and it breaks up the holiday nicely if the weather turns iffy. Families with younger children will get more out of it than teenagers, if we're being honest. You're not going to lose anyone for hours, but it's a legitimate activity rather than a token rainy-day stop.

Worth checking ahead before you visit - opening times and admission details aren't always straightforward for smaller reserves like this one. Parking is typically free, and the walk from the car park to the main area is manageable.