Walborough Nature Reserve

The walk into Walborough Nature Reserve from Burnham-on-Sea takes you away from the holiday parks and into proper Somerset wetland. It's a working nature reserve rather than a manicured visitor attraction, which means you get the real thing - reed beds, open water, and genuine wildlife rather than a gift shop experience.

The reserve itself is modest in scale but pulls its weight for birdwatchers and anyone after a gentle ramble. Winter brings impressive numbers of wildfowl; spring and summer are better for breeding birds and insects if you're patient enough to sit still for ten minutes. The walking routes are straightforward and mostly flat, which suits families with younger kids or anyone not keen on trudging uphill after breakfast.

Allow an hour or so unless you're seriously into ornithology, in which case you could spend a morning here. Bring binoculars - there's little point without them. It's free to access, though donations support the reserve's work.

From the holiday parks clustered around Burnham-on-Sea - Haven, Laurel Farm, and the others - Walborough makes a decent morning outing if the weather's reasonable. It won't grab your attention for a full day trip, but as part of a broader exploration of the area's wetlands and coast, it's worth the detour. Don't come expecting manicured paths or visitor facilities. Come expecting muddy boots and the chance to see something wild.