Tinker's Walks Parking Point

The car park at Tinker's Walks is where you leave the car and actually start enjoying yourself. It's a proper Suffolk nature reserve - the kind of place that rewards a decent walk rather than a quick stroll, with woodland paths that twist through decent stretches of forest east of Saxmundham.

What you'll find here are well-trodden trails threading through mixed woodland and open glades. The reserve itself is fairly unspoilt, which means it gets muddy after rain - bring decent boots. Birdwatchers come for the woodland species, and it's the sort of spot where you might see roe deer if you're patient and keep quiet. The paths are manageable for families with older kids, though younger ones might find a full circuit tiring. Allow two to three hours if you're doing the main route properly.

This works brilliantly as a morning activity if you're camped at one of the nearby sites - Pigs in Blankets, Haw Wood Farm, or Cliff House are all within a few miles. It's not dramatic scenery and won't blow your mind if you're used to Norfolk's coast, but it's exactly what a nature reserve should be: somewhere to stretch your legs and clear your head without queuing or paying entry fees.

Best visited outside peak summer when the woods feel less crowded. October through April is when you get proper peace and decent birdwatching. Don't expect facilities - there's a car park and that's genuinely it.