Westgate Fields

Westgate Fields is a proper working nature reserve just outside Louth, where you'll find yourself surrounded by grassland, hedgerows and the sort of open country that makes the Lincolnshire Wolds feel less claustrophobic than you'd expect. It's the kind of place you come to watch birds and spot wildflowers rather than grab an Instagram moment - which is rather the point. The reserve is managed for conservation, so expect to see lapwings, curlews and if you're lucky, some of the rarer warblers that pass through seasonally.

Walkers get the most from Westgate Fields. There are proper footpaths that let you move through without disturbing the habitat, and it's flat enough that you won't leave feeling knackered. Bring binoculars and a field guide - the volunteer wardens can point you toward whatever's been spotted recently. Spring and early summer are magic here, when the flowers are out and the breeding birds are vocal. Winter is quieter but perfectly decent if you fancy a solitary stomp.

It's free to access and you can spend anywhere from an hour to half a day depending on how serious you are about bird spotting. If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Stewton Stars Hideaway is just 2.6 miles away and genuinely excellent - Westgate Fields makes a brilliant morning walk before breakfast. The Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape is close by too, so you can easily string together a few days exploring the area's quieter corners. Don't expect facilities or a visitor centre. Just bring yourself and pay attention.