Thurne Dyke

The water at Thurne Dyke sits dead calm most days, reflecting Norfolk's vast sky like a sheet of dark glass. It's one of the Broads' quieter stretches - a proper working landscape rather than a tourist spectacle, which is exactly why it's worth the drive east from Great Yarmouth.

You're looking at a dyke - that's a drainage channel to the rest of us - but it's far wider and deeper than the name suggests, opening into a lake-like expanse that draws serious birdwatchers and photographers. The reeds crowd the margins, and in spring and autumn the place becomes a migration highway. Bring binoculars and a decent camera. Most people allow an hour or two to walk the banks, though if you're into boats, there's access for small craft.

It's free to visit and there's no formal entry, though parking is limited to roadside spots nearby. Go early if you can - by mid-morning, even quiet spots fill up. Winter brings the best light and fewer people, though you'll want waterproof boots; the ground stays boggy.

For a holiday based at one of the nearby parks - Clippesby Hall or Norfolk Broads Country Park are both close enough - Thurne Dyke works as a morning stop rather than a day's outing. It's the kind of place that reveals itself slowly, best appreciated if you're already spending time in the Broads rather than driving it as a one-off destination. Families with restless kids might find it dull; walkers and nature types will linger.